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Full text of "Mr William Shakespeare : his comedies, histories, and tragedies : set out by himself in quarto, or by the players, his fellows in folio, and now faithfully republish'd from those editions in ten volumes octavo, with an introduction : whereunto will be added, some other volumes, notes, critical and explanatory, and a body of various readings entire"

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Accession*  Shelf  No. 


The 

WORKS 
SHAKESPEARE, 

Volume  the  fir  ft  ; 

containing, 
The  T mpeft  ; 

The  two  Gentlemen  of  Verona 
The  merry  Wives  of  Windfor, 

LONDON: 

Printed  for  ].  and  R.  Ton  son  in  the  Strand. 


if*/ 


The 

TEMPEST. 


\ 


"Per fins  represented. 


Alonso,  King  of  Naples : 
Sebaftian,  his  Brother, 
Profpero,  rightful  Duke  of  Milan  : 
Antonio,  his  Brother ■,  Usurper  of  his  Dominions. 
Ferdinand,  Son  to  the  King  of  Naples  : 
Gonzalo,  1 


Francifco,  J 
Caliban,  a  favage  and  defornid  Slave. 
Trinculo,  a  Jejler. 
Stephano,  a  drunken  Butler. 

Mafter  of  the  Kingys  Shipy  Boatfwainy  and  Mariners. 

Miranda,  Daughter  to  Profpero. 

Ariel,  an  airy  Spirit.  Other  aerial  Spirits ;  pre- 
sentingy  in  the  Mafque,  Iris,  Ceres,  and  Juno. 

Attendants  upon  the  King.  Spirits  attending  Profpero. 


Adrian, 


Scene,  at  Sea  ;  and  in  different  Parts 
of  an  uninhabited  IJland. 


The  TEMPEST. 


ACT  I. 

SCENE  I,  A  Ship  at  Sea. 
A  great  Storm,  with  Thunder  and  Lightning. 
Enter,  upon  Deck,  a  Ship-matter, 
and  a  Boatfwain. 


Maf.  Boatfwain,— 

Boa.    Here,  matter  :  What  cheer  ? 

Maf,    Good :  Speak  to  th'  mariners:  fall  to't,  yarely, 
or  we  run  ourfelves  aground  :  bettir,  beftir.  [Exit. 
E?iter  Mariners* 

Boa.  Heigh,  my  hearts  ;  cheerly,  cheerly,  my 
hearts ;  yare,  yare :  Take  in  the  top-fail ;  Tend  to  th' 
matter's  whittle:  -.Blow,  'till  thou  burft  thy  wind,  if 
room  enough.  [Exeunt  Mariners,  aloft. 

Enter  Alonso,  Sebaftian,  Ferdinand, 
Antonio,  Gonzalo,  and  Others. 

Azo.  Good  boatfwain,  have  care.  Where's  the 
matter?  Play  the  men. 

Boa,    J  pray  now,  keep  below. 

Ant.  Where  is  the  matter,  boatfwain  ? 

Boa.    Do  you  not  hear  him  ?  You  mar  our  labour ; 


A  5 


4 


The  Tempejl. 


Keep  your  cabins ;  You  do  aflift  the  ftorm. 
Gon.  Nay,  good,  be  patient. 

Boa.  When  the  Tea  is.  Hence.  What  care  these 
roarers  for  the  name  of  king  ?  To  cabin  :  filence  : 
trouble  us  not. 

Goa\  Good  ;  yet  remember  whom  thou  haft  aboard. 

Boa.  None  that  I  more  love  than  myfelf.  You  are 
a  counfellor ;  If  you  can  command  these  elements  to 
filence,  and  work  the  peace  of  the  present,  we  will 
not  hand  a  rope  more,  use  your  authority :  if  you 
cannot,  give  thanks  you  have  liv'd  fo  long,  and  make 
yourfelf  ready  in  your  cabin  for  the  mifchance  of  the 
hour,  if  it  fo  hap.  — Cheerly,  good  hearts.— Out  of  our 
way,  I  fay.  [Exit. 

Gon.  I  have  great  comfort  from  this  fellow:  me- 
thinks,  he  hath  no  drowning  mark  upon  him  ;  his 
complexion  is  perfeft  gallows.  Stand  faft,  good  fate, 
to  his  hanging  ;  make  the  rope  of  his  deftiny  our 
cable,  for  our  own  doth  little  advantage  :  If  he  be  not 
born  to  be  hang'd,  our  cafe  is  miserable.  \Exeiint. 
Re-enter  Boatfwain. 

Boa.  Down  with  the  top-maft ;  yare,  lower,  lower; 
bring  her  to  try  with  main-courfe.  [Cry  within.]  A 
plague  upon  this  howling  !  they  are  louder  than  the 
weather,  or  our  office.  _ 

Re-enter  Sebastian,  Antonio,  and 
Gonzalo. 

Yet  again  ?  What  do  you  here  ?  Shall  we  give  o'er, 

and  drown  ?  Have  you  a  mind  to  fink  ? 

Seb.  A  pox  o'your  throat!  you  bawling,  bla/phe- 
mous,  incharitable  dog  ! 

Boa.    Work  you  then. 


*  cares 


The  Tempefl. 


5 


Ant.  Hang,  cur,  hang !  you  whorfon  infolent  noise- 
maker  !  we  are  lefs  afraid  to  be  drown'd,  than  thou  art. 

Gov.  I'll  warrant  him  for  drowning;  though  the 
fhip  were  no  ftronger  than  a  nut-lhell,  and  as  leaky  as 
an  unftanch'd  wench. 

Boa.  Lay  her  a-ho!d,  a-hold;  fet  her  two  courfes 
off  to  iea  again,  lay  her  off.  [Cry  again. 

Enter  Mariners,  wet. 

Mar.    All  loft  ;  to  prayers,  to  prayers  ;  all  loft  ! 

[Exeunt  Mariners. 

Boa.    What,  muft  our  mouths  be  cold  ?        [them ; 

Gov.  The  king  and  prince  at  prayers!  let's  aflilr, 
For  our  cafe  is  as  theirs. 

Seb.   I'm  out  of  patience.  [ards.__ 

Avr.  We  are  meerly  cheated  of  our  lives  by  drunk- 
This  wide-chopt  rafcal ;  'Would,  thou  might'ft  lye 
The  warning  of  ten  tides!  [drowning, 

Gov.  He'll  be  hang'd  yet; 
Though  every  drop  of  water  fwear  againft  it, 
And  gape  at  wid'ft  to  glut  him.— Mercy  on  us  ! 

[A  con f us^ d  Nohe  within  We  fplit,  we  fplit ! 

_  Farewel  my  wife  and  children  !  Farewel, 

.  brother!  — We  fplit,  we  fplit,  we  fplit ! 

Avr.  Let's  all  fink  wi'  the  king.  [Exit. 

Seb.  Let's  take  leave  of  him.  [Exit. 

Gov.  Now  would  I  give  a  thousand  furlongs  of  fea 
for  an  acre  of  barren  ground;  long  heath,  brown  furze, 
any  thing  :  The  wills  above  be  done,  but  I  would  fain 
dye  a  dry  death.  [Exeunt. 

SCENE  II.  The  IJland.  Before  Profpero's  CclL 
Enter  Prospero,  and  Mr  rand  a. 


*l  v.  Note. 


6 


The  Temptft. 


Mir.  If  by  your  art,  my  dearefl  father,  you  have 
Put  the  wild  waters  in  this  roar,  allay  them  : 
The  Iky,  it  feems,  would  pour  down  {linking  pitch, 
But  that  the  fea,  mounting  to  the  welkin's  cheek, 
Dafties  the  fire  out.  O,  I  have  fuffer'd 
With  those  that  I  faw  fuffer !  A  brave  vefTel, 
Who  had,  no  doubt,  fome  noble  creature  in  her, 
DanYd  all  to  pieces.  O,  the  cry  did  knock 
Againft  my  very  heart !  Poor  fouls  !  they  perifh'd. 
Had  I  been  any  god  of  power,  I  would 
Have  funk  the  fea  within  the  earth,  or  e'er 
It  fhould  the  good  fhip  fo  have  fwallow'd,  and 
The  fraighting  fouls  within  her. 

Pro.  Be  colle&ed ; 
No  more  amazement :  tell  your  piteous  heart, 
There's  no  harm  done. 

Mir.  O,  woe  the  day  ! 

Pro.  No  harm. 
I  have  done  nothing  but  in  care  of  thee, 
(Of  thee  my  dear  one,  thee  my  daughter)  who 
Art  ignorant  of  what  thou  art,  nought  knowing 
Of  whence  I  am ;  nor  that  I  am  more  better 
Than  Prq/pero,  mafter  of  a  full-poor  cell, 
And  thy  no  greater  father. 

Mir.  More  to  know 
Did  never  meddle  with  my  thoughts. 

Pro.  'Tis  time 
I  fliould  inform  thee  farther.  Lend  thy  hand, 
And  pluck  my  magick  garment  from  me.— .So  ;  [fort. 
Lye  "f  there,  my  art.  —Wipe  thou  thine  eyes;  have  com- 
The  direful  fpedlacle  of  the  wreck,  which  touch'd 
The  very  virtue  of  companion  in  thee, 


The  Tcmpejl. 


7 


I  have  with  fuch  provision  in  mine  art 

So  fafely  order'd,  that  there  is  no  lofs, 

No,  not  fb  much  perdition  as  an  hair, 

Betid  to  any  creature  in  the  veflel,  [tlown, 

Which  thou  heard'ft  cry,  which  thou  faw'ft  finki  Sit 

For  thou  muft  now  know  farther. 

Mir.  You  have  often 
Begun  to  tell  me  what  I  am  ;  but  ftopt ; 
And  left  me  to  a  bootlefs  inquisition, 
Concluding,  Stay,  not  yet. 

Pro.  The  hour's  now  come  ; 
The  very  minute  bids  thee  ope  thine  ear  ; 
Obey,  and  be  attentive.  Canft  thou  remember 
A  time  before  we  came  unto  this  cell  ? 
I  do  not  think,  thou  canft ;  for  then  thou  waft  not 
Out  three  years  old. 

Mir.  Certainly,  fir,  I  can. 

Pro.  By  what  ?  by  any  other  houfe,  or  perfon  ? 
Of  any  thing  the  image  tell  me,  that 
Hath  kept  with  thy  remembrance. 

Mir.  'Tis  far  off; 
And  rather  like  a  dream,  than  an  affurance 
That  my  remembrance  warrants :  Had  I  not 
Pour  or  five  women  once,  that  tended  me  ? 

Pr  o .  Thou  hadft,  and  more,  Miranda :  But  how  is  it, 
That  this  lives  in  thy  mind  ?  What  fee'ft  thou  elfe 
In  the  dark  backward  and  abyfm  of  time  ? 
If  thou  remember'ft  ought,  ere  thou  cam'ft  here ; 
How  thou  cam'ft  here,  thou  may'ft. 

Mir.  But  that  I  do  not. 

Pro.  Twelve  year  fince,  Miranda,  twelve  year  fince, 
Thy  father  was  the  duke  of  Milan,  and 


*  no  foule 


The  Tempejl. 


A  prince  of  power. 

Mir.  Sir,  are  not  you  my  father  ? 

Pro.  Thy  mother  was  a  piece  of  virtue,  and 
She  faid  — thou  waft  my  daughter;  and  thy  father 
Was  duke  of  Milan ;  and  his  only  heir 
A  princefs:  no  worfe  iiTu'd. 

Mir.  O  the  heavens  ! 
What  foul  play  had  we,  that  we  came  from  thence  ? 
Or  blefled  was't,  we  did  ? 

Pro.  Both,  both,  my  girl  : 
By  foul  play,  as  thou  fay'ir,,  were  we  heav'd  thence  ; 
But  bleffedly  holp  hither. 

Mir.  O,  my  heart  bleeds 
To  think  o'the  teen  that  I  have  turn'd  you  to, 
Which  is  from  my  remembrance  !  Please  you,  farther. 

Pro.  My  brother,  and  thy  uncle,  calPd  Antonio^  — 
I  pray  thee,  mark  me,  —  (That  a  brother  fhould 
Be  fo  perfidious  !)  he  whom,  next  thy  felf, 
Of  all  the  world  I  lov'd,  and  to  him  put 
The  manage  of  my  Hate;  (as,  at  that  time, 
Through  all  the  figniories  it  was  the  firft, 
And  Profpero  the  prime  duke;  being  fo  reputed 
In  dignity,  and,  for  the  liberal  arts, 
Without  a  parallel ;  those  being  all  my  ftudy, 
The  government  I  call  upon  my  brother, 
And  to  my  ftate  grew  ftranger,  being  tranfported 
And  rapt  in  fecret  ftudies)  Thy  falfe  uncle  — 
Doft  thou  attend  me  ?  — 

Mir.  Sir,  moft  needfully. 

Pro.  Being  once  perfeded  how  to  grant  fuits, 
How  to  deny  them  ;  who  to  advance,  and  who 
To  trafh  for  over- topping;  new  created 


c  AndPrircefll 


The  Tcmprjl. 


9 


The  creatures  that  were  mine  ;  I  fay,  or  chang'd  them, 

Or  elfe  new  form'd  them :  having  both  the  key 

Of  officer  and  office,  fet  all  hearts  i'the  fiate 

To  what  tune  pleas'd  his  ear  ;  that  now  he  was 

The  ivy,  which  had  hid  my  princely  trunk, 

And  fuckt  my  verdure  out  on't.  Thou  attend'ft  not. 

Mir.  O,  £C0,  good  fir,  I  do. 

Pro.   I  pray  thee,  mark  me. 
I  thus  neglecting  worldly  ends,  all  dedicated 
To  clofenefs,  and  the  bettering  of  my  mind 
With  that,  which,  but  by  being  fo  retir'd, 
O'er-priz'd  all  popular  rate,  in  my  falfe  brother 
Awak'd  an  evil  nature:  and  my  truft, 
Like  a  good  parent,  did  beget  of  him 
A  falfehood,  in  it's  contrary  as  great 
As  my  truft:  was  ;  which  had,  indeed,  no  limit, 
A  confidence  fans  bound.  He  being  thus  lorded, 
Not  only  with  what  my  revenue  yielded, 
But  what  my  power  might  elfe  exa£t,— Like  one 
Who  having,  unto  truth,  by  telling  of  it, 
Made  fuch  a  finner  of  his  memory 
To  credit  his  own  lye,  — he  did  believe 
He  was,  indeed,  the  duke  ;  from  fubftitution, 
And  executing  the  outward  face  of  royalty, 
With  all  prerogative  :  Hence  his  ambition  growing,— 
Doft  thou  hear,  Qixl  i 

Mir.  Your  tale,  fir,  would  cure  deafnefs. 

Pro.  To  have  no  fcreen  between  this  part  he  play'd 
And  him  he  play'd  it  for,  he  needs  will  be 
Abfolute  Milan :  Me,  poor  man,  my  library 
Was  dukedom  large  enough  !  of  temporal  royalties 
He  thinks  me  now  incapable  :  confederates 


20  into 


The  TempejL 


(So  dry  he  was  for  fvvay)  wi'  the  king  of  Naples ; 
To  give  him  annual  tribute,  do  him  homage ; 
Subject  his  coronet  to  his  crown,  and  bend 
The  dukedom,  yet  unbow'd,  (alas,  poor  Milan  !) 
To  mod  ignoble  {looping. 

Mir.  O  the  heavens  !  [me, 

Pro.  Mark  his  condition,  and  the  event;  then  tell 
If  this  might  be  a  brother. 

Mir.  I  mould  fin, 
To  think  but  nobly  of  my  grand -mother  : 
Good  wombs  have  born  bad  fons. 

Pro.  Now  the  condition. 
This  king  of  Naples,  being  an  enemy 
To  me  inveterate,  hearkens  my  brother's  fuit : 
Which  was,  That  he,  in  lieu  o'the  premises, — 
Of  homage,  and  I  know  not  how  much  tribute.  — 
Should  presently  extirpate  me  and  mine 
Out  of  the  dukedom  ;  and  confer  feu  Milan, 
With  all  the  honours,  on  my  brother:  Whereon, 
A  treacherous  army  levy'd,  one  midnight, 
Fated  to  the  purpose,  did  Antonio  open 
The  gates  of  Milan  \  and,  i'  the  dead  of  darknefs, 
The  miniiters  for  the  purpose  hurry'd  thence 
Me,  and  thy  crying  feif. 

Mir.  Alack,  for  pity  ! 
I,  not  remembring  how  I  cry'd  on't  then, 
Will  cry  it  o'er  again  ;  it  is  a  hint, 
That  wrings  mine  eyes  to't. 

Pro.   Hear  a  little  further, 
And  then  I'll  bring  thee  to  the  present  businefs 
Which  now's  upon  us ;  without  the  which,  this  ftory 
Were  moft  impertinent. 


cride  out  then 


The  Tempeft. 


ii 


Mir.  Wherefore  did  they  not 
That  hour  deftroy  us  ? 

Pro.  Well  demanded,  wench  ; 
My  tale  provokes  that  queition  :  Dear,  they  durft  not, 
(So  dear  the  love  my  people  bore  me)  nor  fet 
A  mark  fo  bloody  on  the  businefs  ;  but 
With  colours  fairer  painted  their  foul  ends. 
In  few,  they  hurry'd  us  aboard  a  bark  ; 
Bore  us  fome  leagues  to  fea ;  where  they  prepar'd 
A  rotten  carcafe  of  a  boat,  not  rig'd, 
Nor  tackle,  nor  fail,  nor  mail ;  the  very  rats 
Inftindtively  had  quit  it :  there  they  hoift  us 
To  cry  to  the  fea,  that  roar'd  to  us ;  to  figh 
To  the  winds,  whose  pity,  fighing  back  again, 
Did  us  but  loving  wrong. 

Mir.  Alack  !  what  trouble 
Was  I  then  to  you ! 

Pro.  O,  a  cherubin 
Thou  waft,  that  did  preserve  me !  Thou  did'fl  fmile, 
Infused  with  a  fortitude  from  heaven, 
When  I  have  deck'd  the  fea  with  drops  full  fait, 
Under  my  burthen  groan'd  ;  which  rais'd  in  me 
An  undergoing  flomach,  to  bear  up 
Againfl  what  mould  enfue. 

Mir  .  How  came  we  afhore  ? 

Pro.  By  providence  divine. 
Some  food  we  had,  and  fome  frelh  water,  that. 
A  noble  Neapolitan,  Gonzafo, 
Out  of  his  charity,  (he  being  then  appointed 
Matter  of  this  defign)  did  give  us ;  with 
Rich  garments,  linnens,  fluffs,  and  necefTaries, 
Which  fince  have  fteeded  much  :  fo,  of  his  gentlenefs.. 


10  a  Butt,    U  have  quit    *9  (who  being 


12 


The  Tempejt. 


Knowing  I  lov'd  my  books,  he  furnifiYd  me, 
From  mine  own  library,  with  volumes  that 
I  prize  above  my  dukedom. 

Mir.  'Would  I  might 
But  ever  fee  that  man  ! 

Pro.  Now  I  arise:  — 
Sit  ftill,  and  hear  the  laft  of  our  fea-forrow. 
Here  in  this  ifland  we  arriv'd ;  and  here 
Have  I,  thy  fchool-mafter,  made  thee  more  profit 
Than  other  princes  can,  that  have  more  time 
For  vainer  hours,  and  tutors  not  fo  careful.  [fir, 

Mir  .  Heavens  thank  you  for't !  And  now,  I  pray  you, 
(For  ftill  'tis  beating  in  my  mind)  your  reason 
For  raising  this  fea-ftorm  ? 

Pro.  Know  thus  far  forth; 
By  accident  moft  ftrange,  bountiful  fortune, 
Now  my  dear  lady,  hath  mine  enemies 
Brought  to  this  more  :  and  by  my  prefcience 
I  find,  my  zenith  doth  depend  upon 
A  moft  aufpicious  ftar ;  whose  influence 
If  now  I  court  not,  but  omit,  my  fortunes 
Will  ever  after  droop.  Here  ceafe  more  queftions, 
Thou  art  inclin'd  to  fleep  ;  'tis  a  good  dulnefs, 

And  give  it  way  :  I  know,  thou  canft  not  choose  

[Miranda  Jleeps. 
Come  away,  fervant,  come :  I'm  ready  now; 
Approach,  my  Ariel,  come. 

Enter  Ariel. 

Jri.  All  hail,  great  mafter  !  grave  fir,  hail !  I  come 
To  anfwer  thy  beft  pleasure ;  be't  to  fly, 
To  fwim,  to  dive  into  the  fire,  to  ride 
On  the  curl'd  clouds :  to  thy  ftrong  bidding  talk 


10  Prince  fie  can 


Tbi  Tempefc. 


I J 


Ariel  and  all  his  quality. 

Pro.  Halt  thou,  fpirit, 
Perform'd  to  point  the  tempcfl  that  I  bad  thee  ? 

Ari.  To  every  article. 
T  boarded  the  king's  (hip  ;  now  on  the  beak, 
Now  in  the  wafte,  the  deck,  in  every  cabin, 
I  flam'd  amazement :  Sometimes,  I  d  divide, 
And  burn  in  many  places  ;  on  the  top-maft, 
The  yards,  and  bore-fprit,  would  I  flame  diftin&Iy, 
Then  meet,  and  join :  Jo-ve's  lightnings,  the  precurfers 
O'  the  dreadful  thunder-clap,  more  momentary 
And  fight-out-running  were  not:  The  fire,  and  cracks 
Of  fulphurous  roaring,  the  moll  mighty  Neptune 
Seem  to  befiege  ;  and  make  his  bold  waves  tremble, 
Yea,  his  dread  trident  (hake. 

Pro.  My  brave  bratoe  fpirit ! 
Who  was  fo  firm,  fo  conftant,  that  this  coil 
Would  not  infeft  his  reason  ? 

Ari.  Not  a  foul 
But  felt  a  fever  of  the  mad,  and  play'd 
Some  tricks  of  defperation:  All,  but  mariners, 
Plung'd  in  the  foaming  brine,  and  quit  the  vefTel, 
Then  all  a-fire  with  me:  the  king's  fon,  Ferdinand, 
With  hair  up-ftaring,  (then  like  reeds,  not  hair) 
Was  the  firft  man  that  leap'd ;  cry'd,  Hell  is  empty. 
And  all  the  devils  are  here. 

Pro.  Why,  that's  my  fpirit! 
But  was  not  this  nigh  fiiore  r 

Ari.  Clofe  by,  my  matter. 

Pro.  But  are  they,  Ariel,  fafe  ? 

Ari.  Not  a  hair  perifiVd  ; 
On  their  fuftaining  garments  not  a  blemim, 


10  Lightning,    ■>  Thunder-claps 


14 


The  Tempejf. 


But  freflier  than  before ;  and,  as  thou  bad'rt  me, 
In  troops  I  have  difperf'd  them  'bout  the  ifle  ; 
The  king's  fon  have  I  landed  by  himfelf ; 
Whom  I  left  cooling  of  the  air  with  fighs, 
In  an  odd  angle  of  the  ifle,  and  fitting, 
His  arms  in  this  ~[~  fad  knot. 

Pro.  Of  the  king's  fhip, 
The  mariners,  fay  how  thou  haft  difpos'd, 
And  all  the  reft  o'the  fleet  ? 

Ari.  Safely  in  harbour 
Is  the  king's  lhip ;  in  the  deep  nook,  where  once 
Thou  calPdft  me  up  at  midnight  to  fetch  dew 
From  the  ftill-vext  Bermootbes,  there  fhe's  hid : 
The  mariners  all  under  hatches  flow'd ; 
Who,  with  a  charm  join'd  to  their  fuffer'd  labour, 
I  have  left  afleep :  and  for  the  reft  o'  the  fleet, 
Which  I  difperf'd,  they  all  have  met  again  ; 
And  are  upon  the  Mediterranean  flote, 
Bound  fadly  home  for  Naples  ; 
Supposing  that  they  faw  the  king's  fhip  wreck'd, 
And  his  great  perfon  perifh. 

Pro.  Ariel,  thy  charge 
Exactly  is  perform'd ;  but  there's  more  work  : 
What  is  the  time  o'  the  day  ? 

Ari.  Paft  the  mid  feason.  [now 

Pro.  At  leaft  two  glafles:  The  time  'twixt  fix  and 
Muft  by  us  both  be  fpent  moft  precioufly. 

Ari.  Is  there  more  toil?  Since  thou  doft  give  me  pains, 
Let  me  remember  thee  what  thou  haft  promised, 
Which  is  not  yet  perform'd  me. 

Pro.  How  now?  moody  ? 
What  is't  thou  canft  demand  ? 


The  Ttmpeft. 


Ari.  My  liberty. 

Pro.  Before  the  time  be  out  ?  no  more. 

Ari.  I  pray  thee  : 
Remember,  I  have  done  thee  worthy  fervice ; 
Told  thee  no  lyes,  made  thee  no  miftakings,  ferv'd 
Without  or  grudge,  or  grumblings  :  thou  didft  promise 
To  bate  me  a  full  year. 

Pro.  Doft  thou  forget 
From  what  a  torment  I  did  free  thee  ? 

Ari.  No.  [ooze 

Pro.  Thou  doft  :  and  think'ft  it  much,  to  tread  the 
Of  the  fait  deep; 

To  run  upon  the  fharp  wind  of  the  north  ; 
To  do  me  businefs  in  the  veins  o'the  earth, 
When  it  is  bak'd  with  froft. 
Ari.  I  do  not,  fir. 

Pro.  Thou  ly'ft,  malignant  thing  :  Haft  thou  forgot 
The  foul  witch  Sycorax,  who,  with  age,  and  envy, 
Was  grown  into  a  hoop  ?  haft  thou  forgot  her  ? 

Ari.  No,  fir. 

Pro.  Thou  haft ;  Where  was  (he  born  ?  fpeak,  tell  me. 

Ari.  Sir,  in  Argier. 

Pro.  O,  was  (he  fo  !  I  muft, 
Once  in  a  month,  recount  what  thou  haft  been, 
Which  thou  forget'ft.  This  damn'd  witch,  Sycorax* 
For  mifchiefs  manifold,  and  forceries  terrible 
To  enter  human  hearing,  from  Argier, 
Thou  know'ft,  was  baniuYd  ;  for  one  thing  (he  did. 
They  would  not  take  her  life:  Is  not  this  true  ? 

Ari.  Ay,  fir.  [child, 

Pro.  This  blue-ey'd  hag  was  hither  brought  with 
And  here  was  left  by  the  failors :  Thou,  my  (lave, 


Vol  I. 


0 


The  Tempejt. 


As  thou  report'ft  thyfelf,  waft  then  her  fervant: 

And,  for  thou  waft  a  fpirit  too  delicate 

To  aft  her  earthy  and  abhor'd  commands, 

Refusing  her  grand  hefts,  (he  did  confine  thee, 

By  help  of  her  more  potent  minifters, 

And  in  her  moft  unmitigable  rage, 

Into  a  cloven  pine  ;  within  which  rift 

Imprisoned,  thou  didft  painfully  remain 

A  dozen  years  ;  within  which  fpace  fhe  dy'd, 

And  left  thee  there  ;  where  thou  didft  vent  thy  groans 

As  fail  as  mill-wheels  ftrike  :  Then  was  this  illand 

(Save  for  the  fon  that  Ihe  did  litter  here, 

A  freckrd  whelp,  hag-born)  not  honoured  with 

A  human  fhape. 

Art.  Yes;  Caliban  her  fon. 

Pro.  Dull  thing,  I  fay  fo;  he,  that  Caliban, 
Whom  now  I  keep  in  fervice.  Thou  beft  know'ft 
What  torment  I  did  find  thee  in  :  thy  groans 
Did  make  wolves  howl,  and  penetrate  the  breafts 
Of  ever-angry  bears ;  it  was  a  torment 
To  lay  upon  the  damn'd,  which  Syccrax 
Could  not  again  undo ;  it  was  mine  art, 
When  I  arriv'd,  and  heard  thee,  that  made  gape 
The  pine,  and  let  thee  out. 

Arj.  I  thank  thee,  mafter. 

Pro.  If  thou  more  munnur'ft,  I  will  rend  an  oak, 
And  peg  thee  in  his  knotty  entrails,  'till 
Thou  haft  howl'd  away  twelve  winters. 

Ari.  Pardon,  mafter  : 
I  will  be  correfpondent  to  command, 
And  do  my  fpiriting  gently. 

Pro.  Do  fo  :  and  after  two  days 


The  Tempejf.  1 7 

I  will  difcharge  thee. 

Ari.  That's  my  noble  mafter! 
What  (hall  I  do  r  fay,  what  ?  what  fhall  I  do  ? 

Pro.  Go  make  thyfelf  like  to  a  nymph  o'  the  fea  : 
Be  fubjeft  to  no  fight  but  mine  ;  invisible 
To  every  eye-ball  elfe  :  Go,  take  this  fhape, 
And  hither  come  in  it:  go,  hence,  with  diligence. 

[Exit  Ariel. 
Awake,  dear  heart,  awake !  thou  haft  flept  well  > 
Awake  ! 

Mir.  The  ftrangenefs  of  your  ftory  put 
Heavinefs  in  me. 

Pro.  Shake  it  off :  Come  on  ; 
We'll  visit  Caliban,  my  flave,  who  never 
Yields  us  kind  anfwer. 

Mir.  'Tis  a  villain,  fir, 
I  do  not  love  to  look  on. 

Pro.  But,  as  'tis, 
We  cannot  mifs  him :  he  does  make  our  fire, 
Fetch  in  our  wood  ;  and  ferves  in  offices 
That  profit  us.  _  What,  ho  !  flave !  Caliban  t 
Thou  earth,  thou,  fpeak  ! 

Cal  .  \jwithin\  There's  wood  enough  within,  [thee  : 

Pro.  Come  forth,  I  fay  ;  there's  other  businefs  for 
Come,  thou  tortoise  !  when  ! 

Re-enter  Ariel,  like  a  Water-jiympb. 
"  Fine  apparition  !  My  quaint  Ariel,  " 
M  Hark  in  thine  ear.  " 

Ari.  "  My  lord,  it  fhall  be  done."     [Exit  Ariel. 

Pro.  Thou  poisonous  flave,  got  by  the  devil  himfelf 
Upon  thy  wicked  dam,  come  forth ! 

Enter  Caliban. 

5  but  thi re.  and  mine  1 

B  1 


iS 


The  Tempejt. 


Cal.  As  wicked  dew,  as  ere  my  mother  brufh'd 
With  raven's  feather  from  unwholfom  fen, 
Drop  on  you  both !  a  fouth-weft  blow  on  ye, 
And  biifter  you  all  o'er !  [cramps, 

Pro.  For  this,  be  fure,  to-night  thou  fhalt  have 
Side-flitches  that  fhall  pen  thy  breath  up  ;  urchins 
Shall,  for  that  vaft  of  night  that  they  may  work, 
All  exercise  on  thee  :  thou  fhalt  be  pincrTd 
As  thick  as  honey-comb,  each  pinch  more  flinging 
Than  bees  that  made  them. 

Cal.  I  mull  eat  my  dinner. 
This  ifland's  mine,  by  Sycorax  my  mother, 
Which  thou  tak'ft  from  me.  When  thou  cam'ft  firfl, 
Thou  ftroak'dft  me,  and  mad'ft  much  of  me;  would'ft 
Water  with  berries  in't ;  and  teach  me  how    [give  me 
To  name  the  bigger  light,  and  how  the  lefs, 
That  burn  by  day  and  night  :  and  then  J  lov'd  thee, 
And  fhew'd  thee  all  the  qualities  o'  the  ifle, 
The  frefh-fprings,  brine-pits,  barren  place,  and  fertil  \*H 
Curf 'd  be  I,  that  I  did  fo  !  —  All  the  charms 
Of  Sycorax,  toads,  beetles,  bats,  light  on  you ! 
For  I  am  all  the  fubjecls  that  you  have, 
Which  firft  was  mine  own  king  :  and  here  you  fly  me 
In  this  hard  rock,  whiles  you  do  keep  from  me 
The  reft  o'the  ifland. 

Pro.  Thou  molt  lying  flave, 
Whom  flripes  may  move,  not  kindnefs :  I  have  us'd  thee, 
Filth  as  thou  art,  with  human  care  ;  and  lodg'd  thee 
In  mine  own  cell,  'till  thou  did'ft  feek  to  violate 
The  honour  of  my  child. 

Cal.  Oh  ho,  oh  ho  !  _  'would 't  had  been  done! 
Thou  did'ft  prevent  me ;  I  had  peopled  elfe 


■4  ftroakft  me,  &  made. much 


The  Temptft. 


59 


This  ifle  with  Calibans. 

Pro.  Abhorred  flave  ; 
Which  any  print  of  goodnefs  wilt  not  take, 
Being  capable  of  all  ill  !  I  pity* J  thee, 
Took  pains  to  make  thee  fpeak,  taught  thee  each  hour 
One  thing  or  other  :  when  thou  could'il  not,  lavage, 
Show  thine  own  meaning,  but  would'lt  gabble  like 
A  thing  mod  brutifh,  I  endowed  thy  purposes 
With  words  that  made  them  known  :  But  thy  vile  race, 
Though  thou  didft  learn,  had  that  in't  which  good  na- 
Could  not  abide  to  be  with ;  therefore  waft  thou  [tures 
Deservedly  confin'd  into  this  rock, 
Who  had'lt  deserv'd  more  than  a  prison. 

Cal.  You  taught  me  language;  and  my  profit  on't 
Is,  I  know  how  to  curfe ;  The  red  plague  rid  you, 
For  learning  me  your  language  ! 

Pro.  Hag-feed,  hence! 
Fetch  us  in  fuel  ;  and  be  qnick,  thou'ert  belt, 
To  anfwer  other  businefs.  Shrug'ft  thou,  malice  ? 
If  thou  neglecYft,  or  doft  unwillingly 
What  I  command,  I'll  rack  thee  with  old  cramps  ; 
Fill  all  thy  bones  with  aches ;  make  thee  roar, 
That  beafts  mall  tremble  at  thy  din. 

Cal  .  No,  pray  thee !  — 
"  I  muft  obey  ;  his  art  is  of  fuch  power," 
"  It  would  controul  my  dam's  god  Setebos,  " 
"  And  make  a  vafTal  of  him." 

Pro.  So,  flave;  hence!  Caliban. 
Mustek.  Re-enter  Ariel,  invisible  ; 
Ferdinand  following. 

Ari.        Come  unto  these  yellow  fands,  SONG, 
and  then  take  hands  : 

*  Mir.  Abhorred   6  thou  didft  not   7.  Know  thins 

B  1 


20 


^Ihe  Tempejt. 


curffyd  w hen  you  have,  and  kifi, 

( the  wild  waves  whifi J 
foot  it  featly  here  and  there ; 
and,fweet  fprites,  the  burthen  bear. 

Hark,  hark! 
bur.  Bowgh,  wovvgh.  [difperfedly. 

the  watch- dogs  bark  : 
bur.  Bowgh,  wowgh.  [difperfedly. 

Hark,  hark  !  I  hear 
the  ftrain  of  flrutting  chanticlere 
cry,  Cock-a-doodle-do.  [earth  ? 

Fe r  .  Where  (hould  this  musick  be  ?  i'  the  air  ?  or  the 
It  founds  no  more :  —  and,  fure,  it  waits  upon 
Some  god  o'the  ifland.  Sitting  on  a  bank, 
Weeping  againft  the  king  my  father's  wreck, 
This  musick  crept  by  me  upon  the  waters; 
Allaying  both  their  fury,  and  my  paflion, 
With  it's  fweet  air  :  thence  I  have  follow'd  it, 
Or  it  hath  drawn  me  rather     "But  'tis  gone  : 
No,  it  begins  again. 

Ari.   Full  fathom  five  thy  father  lies  :  SONG, 
of  his  bones  are  coral  made  ; 
those  are  pearls,  that  were  his  eyes  : 

nothing  of  him,  that  doth  fade, 
but  doth  Juffer  a  fea-cbange, 
into  jomething  rich  and  jirange  : 
Sea- nymphs  hourly  ring  his  knell: 
hark,  now  I  hear  them,  —  Ding-dong,  bell. 

[Burthen,  Ding-dong. 
Fe  r  .  The  ditty  does  remember  my  drown'd  father 
This  is  no  mortal  businefs,  nor  no  found 
That  the  earth  owes :  —I  hear  it  now  above  me. 


4-  beare  |  the  burthen,    *3  againc  the 


The  Tempeft. 


2  1 


Pro.  The  fringed  curtains  of  thine  eye  advance, 
And  fay,  what  thou  fee'ft  yond'. 

Mir.  What  is't?  a  fpirit? 
Lord,  how  it  looks  about!  Believe  me,  fir, 
It  carries  a  brave  form  :  —  But  'tis  a  fpirit.  [fenfes 

Pro.  No,  wench  j  it  eats,  and  fleeps,  and  hath  fuch 
As  we  have,  fuch  :  This  gallant,  which  thou  fee'ft, 
Was  in  the  wreck;  and,  but  he's  fomething  ftain'd 
With  grief,  that's  beauty's  canker,  thou  might'rt  call  him 
A  goodly  perfon  :  he  hath  loft  his  fellows, 
And  ftrays  about  to  find  them. 

Mir.  I  might  call  him 
A  thing  divine ;  for  nothing  natural 
I  ever  faw  fo  noble. 

Pro.  "  It  goes,  I  fee, n  [thee" 
"  As  my  foul  prompts  it:  — Spirit,  fine  fpirit,  I'll  free 
u  Within  two  days  for  this." 

Per.  Moft  fure,  the  goddefs 
On  whom  these  airs  attend  :  _  Vouchfafe  my  prayer 
May  know,  if  you  remain  upon  this  ifland ; 
And  that  you  will  fome  good  inftruction  give 
How  I  may  bear  me  here  :  My  prime  requeft, 
Which  I  do  laft  pronounce,  is,  o  you  wonder, 
If  you  be  maid,  or  no  ? 

Mir  .  No  wonder,  fir  ; 
But,  certainly,  a  maid. 

Per.  My  language!  heavens!  

I  am  the  bell  of  them  that  fpeak  this  {peech, 
Were  I  but  where  'tis  fpoken. 

Pro.  How!  the  beft  ? 
What  wert  thou,  if  the  king  of  Naples  heard  thee  ? 

Per,  A  fmgle  thing,  as  I  am  now,  that  wonders 


1 5  goes  on  I 


22 


The  Temp  eft. 


To  hear  thee  fpeak  of  Naples  :  He  does  hear  me  ; 
And,  that  he  does,  I  weep  :  myfelf  am  Naples ; 
Who  with  mine  eyes,  ne'er  fince  at  ebb,  beheld 
The  king  my  father  wreckt. 
Mir.  Alack,  for  mercy! 

Fer.  Yes,  faith,  and  all  his  lords;  the  duke  of  Milan, 
And  his  brave  fon,  being  twain. 

Pro.  The  duke  of  Milan, 
And  his  more  braver  daughter,  could  controul  thee, 
Jf  now  'twere  fit  to  do't._"  At  the  firft  fight" 
"They  have  chang'd  eyes  :  —  Delicate  Ariel, " 
"  Til  fet  thee  free  for  this. A  word,  good  fir  ; 
I  fear,  you  have  done  yourfelf  fome  wrong  ;  a  word. 

Mir,  "Why  fpeaks  my  father  fo  ungently?  This" 
' 1  Is  the  third  man,  that  e'er  I  faw ;  the  firft, " 
**That  e'er  I  figh'd  for:  pity  move  my  father" 
"To  be  inclin'd  my  way!" 

Fer.  O,  if  a  virgin, 
And  your  affe&ion  not  gone  forth,  I'll  make  yoa 
The  queen  of  Naples, 

Pro,  Soft,  fir;  one  word  more.  [sinefs" 
u  They  are  both  in  either's  powers  :  but  this  fwift  bu- 
ifc  I  mull  uneasy  make,  left  too  light  winning  [thee 
"  Make  the  prize  light."  Sir,  one  word  more  ;  I  charge 
That  thou  attend  me  :  thou  doft  here  usurp 
The  name  thou  ow  ft  not ;  and  haft  put  thyfelf 
Upon  this  ifland,  as  a  fpy,  to  win  it 
From  me,  the  lord  on't. 

Fer.  No,  as  I  am  a  man. 

Mir  .  There's  nothing  ill  can  dwell  in  fuch  a  temple : 
If  the  ill  fpirit  have  fo  fair  a  houfe, 
Good  things  will  ftrive  to  dwell  with't. 


The  Tmpefi. 


23 


Pro.  Follow  me — 
Speak  not  you  for  him  ;  he's  a  traitor. Come  : 
I'll  manacle  thy  neck  and  feet  together  : 
Sea-water  (halt  thou  drink;  thy  food  mall  be 
The  frefh-brook  muffels,  wither'd  roots,  and  hufks 
Wherein  the  acorn  cradl'd  :  Follow. 

Per.  No; 
I  will  resin1  fuch  entertainment,  'till 
Mine  enemy  has  more  power.  \draivs. 

Mir.  O  dear  father, 
Make  not  too  rafh  a  trial  of  him  ;  for 
He's  gentle,  and  not  fearful. 

Pro.  What,  I  fay, 
My  foot  my  tutor!  — Put  thy  fword  up,  traitor; 
Who  mak'it  a  fhew,  but  dar'ft  not  ftrike,  thy  confcience 
Is  fo  posselt  with  guilt:  come  from  thy  ward; 
For  I  can  here  difarm  thee  with  this  Hick, 
And  make  thy  weapon  drop. 

Mir.  Befeech  you,  father! 

Pro.  Hence  ;  hang  not  on  my  garments. 

Mir.  Sir,  have  pity  ; 
Pll  be  his  furety. 

Pro.  Silence  ;  one  word  more 
Shall  make  me  chide  thee,  if  not  hate  thee.  What, 
An  advocate  for  an  impoftor  ?  hufh  ! 
Thou  think'it,  there  are  no  more  fuch  fhapes  as  he, 
Having  feen  but  him  and  Caliban  ;  Foolifh  wench  ! 
To  the  molt  of  men  this  is  a  Caliban, 
And  they  to  him  are  angels. 

Mir.  My  affections 
Are  then  molt  humble ;  I  have  no  ambition 
To  fee  a  goodlier  man. 


26  there  is  no 


24 


The  Tempeft. 


Pro.  Come  on  ;  obey  : 
Thy  nerves  are  in  their  infancy  again, 
And  have  no  vigour  in  them. 

Fer.  So  they  are  : 
My  fpirits,  as  in  a  dream,  are  all  bound  up. 
My  father's  lofs,  the  weaknefs  which  I  feel, 
The  wreck  of  all  my  friends,  or  this  man's  threats 
To  whom  I  am  fubdu'd,  are  but  light  to  me, 
Might  I  but  through  my  prison  once  a  day 
Behold  this  maid :  all  corners  elfe  o'the  earth 
Let  liberty  make  ufe  of ;  fpace  enough 
Have  I,  in  fuch  a  prison. 

Pro.  "It  works. "-.Come  on.— 
"Thou  haft  done  well,  fine  Ariel"—  Follow  me.— 
"Hark  what  thou  elfe  ihalt  do  me." 

Mir,  Be  of  comfort ; 
My  father's  of  a  better  nature,  fir, 
Than  he  appears  by  fpeech ;  this  is  unwonted, 
Which  now  came  from  him. 

Pro.  "  Thou  (halt  be  as  free " 
"  As  mountain  winds :  but  then  exaftly  do  " 
"All  points  of  my  command.  " 

Ari.  "To  the  fyllable." 

Pro.  Come,  follow: —Speak  not  for  him.  [Exeunt. 


ACT  II. 

SCENE  I.  Another  Part  of  the  IJland. 
Enter  Alonso,  Sebastian,  Antonio,  Gonzalo, 
Adrian,  Francisco,  and  Others, 

Gqn.  Befeech  you,  fir,  be  merry  :  you  have  cause 

7  friends,  nor  this 


The  Tempeji. 


(So  have  we  all)  of  joy  ;  for  our  efcape 
Is  much  beyond  our  lofs  :  Our  hint  of  woe 
Is  common  ;  every  day,  fome  failor's  wife, 
The  mailer  of  fome  merchant,  and  the  merchant, 
Have  juft  our  theme  of  woe  :  but  for  the  miracle, 
(I  mean,  our  preservation)  few  in  millions 
Can  fpeak  like  us :  then  wisely,  good  fir,  weigh 
Our  forrow  with  our  comfort. 
Alo.  Pr'ythee,  peace. 

Seb.   He  receives  comfort  like  cold  porridge. 
Ant.  The  visitor  will  not  give  him  o'er  fo. 
Seb.   Look,  he's  winding  up  the  watch  of  his  wit ; 
by  and  by  it  will  ftrike. 
Gon.  Sir,— 
Seb.   One:— Tell. 

Gon.  When  every  grief  is  entertain'd,  that's  offer'd, 
Comes  to  the  entertainer— 
Seb.  A  dollar. 

Gon.  Dolour  comes  to  him,  indeed ;  you  have  fpoken 
truer  than  you  purpos'd. 

Seb.  You  have  taken  it  wiselier  than  I  meant  you 
fhould. 

Gon.  Therefore,  my  lord,  — 

Ant.  Fie,  what  a  fpend-thrift  is  he  of  his  tongue? 

Alo.  I  pr'ythee,  fpare. 

Gon.  Well,  I  have  done  :  But  yet  — 

Seb.    He  will  be  talking. 

Ant.  Which  of  tl;em,  he,  or  Adrian,  for  a  good 
wager,  firft  begins  to  crow  r 
Seb.    The  old  cock. 
Ant.  The  cockrel. 
Seb.    Done  :  The  wager? 


+  Matters 


26 


The  Tempejl. 


Ant.  A  laughter. 
Seb.   A  match. 

Adr.  Though  this  ifland  feem  to  be  desart,— 

Seb.  Ha,  ha,  ha  ! 
Ant.  So,  you've  pay'd. 

Adr.  Uninhabitable,  and  almofr  inacceffible,  *— 
Seb.  Yet, 
J  dr.  Yet— 

Ant.  He  could  not  mifs't. 

A  dr.  It  muft  needs  be  of  fubtle,  tender,  and  delicate 
temperance. 

Ant.  Temperance  was  a  delicate  wench. 

Seb.  Ay,  and  a  fubtle;  as  he  moil  learnedly  de- 
liver'd. 

A  dr.  The  air  breaths  upon  us  here  moft  fweetly. 

Seb.    As  if  it  had  lungs,  and  rotten  ones. 

Ant.  Or,  as  'twere  perfum'd  by  a  fen. 

Gon.  Here  is  every  thing  advantageous  to  life. 

Ant.  True ;  fave  means  to  live. 

Seb .   Of  that  there's  none,  or  little. 

Gon.  How  lufh  and  lufty  the  grafs  looks  r  how  green  ? 

Ant.  The  ground,  indeed,  is  tawny. 

Seb.   With  an  eye  of  green  in't. 

Ant.  He  miffes  not  much. 

Seb.   No,  he  doth  but  miftake  the  truth  totally. 

Gon.  But  the  rarity  of  it  is,  (which  is,  indeed,  almofl: 
beyond  credit)  ~~ 

Seb.   As  many  voucht  rarities  are. 

Gon.  That  our  garments,  being  (as  they  were) 
drench'd  in  the  fea,  hold  notwithftanding  their  frefh- 
nefs,  and  gloffes ;  being  rather  new  dy'd,  than  ftain'd 
with  fait  water. 


6  youV  paid 


The  TempeJI. 


~7 


Ant.  If  but  one  of  his  pockets  could  fpeak,  would 
it  not  fay,  he  lyes  ? 

Seb.  Ay,  or  very  falfly  pocket  up  his  report. 

Gon.  Methinks,  our  garments  are  now  as  frefh 
as  when  we  put  them  on  firft  in  Africk,  at  the  mar- 
riage of  the  king's  fair  daughter  Clarihel  to  the  king 
of  funis. 

Seb.  'Twas  a  fweet  marriage,  and  we  profper  well 
in  our  return. 

Adr.  Tunis  was  never  grac'd  before  with  fuch  a 
paragon  to  their  queen. 

Gon.  Not  fince  widow  Dido's  time. 

Ant.  Widow?  a  pox  o'that  !  How  came  that  widow 
in  ?  widow  Dido  ! 

Seb.  What  if  he  had  faid,  widower  tineas  too? 
good  lord,  how  you  take  it  ! 

Adr.  Widow  Dido,  faid  you?  you  make  me  ftudy 
of  that:  She  was  of  Carthage,  not  of  Tunis. 

Gon.  This  Tunis,  fir,  was  Carthage. 

Adr.  Carthage  ? 

Gon.  I  affure  you,  Carthage. 

Ant.  His  word  is  more  than  the  miraculous  harp. 

Seb.   He  hath  rais'd  the  wall,  and  houses  too. 

Ant.  What  impofiible  matter  will  he  make  easy  next? 

Stb.  I  think,  he  will  carry  this  ifland  home  in  his 
pocket,  and  give  it  his  fon  for  an  apple. 

Ant.  And,  fowing  the  kernels  of  it  in  the  fea,  bring 
forth  more  illands. 

Gon.  Ay  ? 

Ant.  Why,  in  good  time. 

Gon,  Sir,  we  were  talking,  that  our  garments  feem 
now  as  frefh.  as  when  we  were  at  Tunis  at  the  marriage 


28 


The  Tempeji. 


of  your  daughter,  who  is  now  queen. 

Ant.  And  the  rareft  that  e'er  came  there. 

Seb.  Bate,  I  befeech  you,  widow  Dido. 

AnT.  O,  widow  Dido ;  ay,  widow  Dido. 

Gon.  Is  not,  fir,  my  doublet  as  fre(h  as  the  firfl:  day 
I  wore  it,  (I  mean,  in  a  fort) 

Ant.  That  fort  was  well  fifh'd  for. 

Gon.  When  I  wore  it  at  your  daughter's  marriage? 

Alo.  You  cram  these  words  into  mine  ears,  againft 
The  ftomach  of  my  fenfe :  'Would,  I  had  never 
Marry'd  my  daughter  there  !  for,  coming  thence, 
My  fon  is  loft :  and,  in  my  rate,  me  too ; 
Who  is  fo  far  from  Italy  remov'd, 
I  ne'er  again  (hall  fee  her :  O  thou  mine  heir 
Of  Naples  and  of  Milan,  what  ftrange  fifh 
Hath  made  his  meal  on  thee! 

Fra.  Sir,  he  may  live  : 
I  faw  him  beat  the  furges  under  him, 
And  ride  upon  their  backs ;  he  trod  the  water, 
Whose  enmity  he  flung  afide,  and  breafted 
The  furge  moft  fwoln  that  met  him  :  his  bold  head 
'Bove  the  contentious  waves  he  kept,  and  oar'd 
Himfelf  with  his  good  arms  in  lufty  ftroke 
To  the  more ;  that  o'er  his  wave-worn  bafis  bow'd, 
As  ftooping  to  relieve  him :  I  not  doubt, 
He  came  alive  to  land. 

Alo.  No,  no,  he's  gone. 

Seb  .  Sir,  you  may  thank  yourfelf  for  this  great  lofs ; 
That  would  not  blefs  our  Europe  with  your  daughter, 
But  rather  lose  her  to  an  African  ; 
Where  Ihe  at  leaft  is  banifh'd  from  your  eye, 
Who  hath  cause  to  wet  the  grief  on't. 


The  Tempeft. 


29 


Alo.  Pr'ythee,  peace. 

Seb .  You  were  kneel'd  to,  and  importun'd  otherwise 
By  all  of  us :  and  the  fair  foul  herfelf 
Weigh'd,  between  lothnefs  and  obedience,  at 
Which  end  the  beam  (hould  bow.  We  have  loll  your  fon, 
I  fear,  for  ever :  Milan  and  Naples  have 
More  widows  in  them  of  this  businefs'  making,  [own. 
Than  we  bring  men  to  comfort  them  :  the  fault's  your 

Alo.  So  is  the  dear'ft  o'the  lofs. 

Gon.  My  lord  Sebajlian, 
The  truth  you  fpeak  doth  lack  fome  gentlenefs, 
And  time  to  fpeak  it  in :  you  rub  the  fore, 
When  you  mould  bring  the  plaifter. 

Seb.   Very  well. 

Ant.  And  moft  chirurgeonlv. 

Gon.  It  is  foul  weather  in  us  all,  good  fir, 
When  you  are  cloudy. 

Seb.   Foul  weather  ? 

Ant.  Very  foul. 

Gon.  Had  I  plantation  of  this  ifle,  my  lord,— 
Ant.  He'd  fow't  with  nettle- feed. 
Seb,  Or  docks,  or  mallows. 

Gon.  And  were  the  king  of  it,  What  would  I  do? 

Seb.   'Scape  being  drunk,  for  want  of  wine. 

Gon.  I'the  common-wealth  I  would  by  contraries 
Execute  all  things :  For  no  kind  of  traffick 
Would  I  admit ;  no  name  of  magiitrate  ; 
Letters  mould  not  be  known ;  poverty,  riches, 
And  ufe  of  fervice,  none ;  contract,  fucceffion, 
Bourn,  bound  of  land,  tilth,  vineyard,  olifce,  none; 
No  ufe  of  metal,  corn,  or  wine,  or  oyl : 
No  occupation  ;  all  men  idle,  all,, 

5  end  o'th'  bcamc    aS  Richc*,  pavcrty, 


30 


The  Tempejl. 


And  women  too,  but  innocent,  and  pure : 
No  fovereignty  : 

Seb.   Yet  he  would  be  king  on't. 

Ant.  The  latter  end  of  his  common-wealth  forgets 
the  beginning. 

Gon.  All  things  in  common  nature  fhould  produce, 
Without  fweat  or  endeavour  :  treason,  felony, 
Sword,  pike,  knife,  gun,  or  need  of  any  engine, 
Would  I  not  have;  but  nature  fhould  bring  forth, 
Of  it'0  own  kind,  all  foizon,  all  abundance, 
To  feed  my  innocent  people. 

Seb.   No  marrying  'mong  his  fubje&s  ? 

A  NT.  None,  man  :  all  idle  ;  whores,  and  knaves. 

Gon.  1  would  with  fuch  perfection  govern,  fir, 
To  excel  the  golden  age. 

Seb.   'Save  his  majefty! 

AnT.  Long  live  Gon&alo  f 

Gon.  And,  do  you  mark  me,  fir?  — 

Alo.  Pr'ythee,  no  more  ; 
Thou  doft  talk  nothing  to  me. 

Gon.  I  do  well  believe  your  highnefs ;  and  did  it 
to  minifter  occasion  to  these  gentlemen,  who  are  of 
fuch  fenfible  and  nimble  lungs,  that  they  always  use 
to  laugh  at  nothing. 

Ant.  'Twas  you  we  laugh'd  at. 

Gon.  Who,  in  this  kind  of  merry  fooling,  am  no- 
thing to  you :  fo  you  may  continue,  and  laugh  at  nothing 
frill. 

Ant.  What  a  blow  was  there  given  ? 
Seb.    An  it  had  not  fallen  flat-long. 
Gon.  You  are  gentlemen  of  brave  mettle  ;  you 
would  lift  the  moon  out  of  her  fphere,  if  fhe  would 


The  Tempeft. 


continue  in  it  five  weeks  without  changing. 

.  [folemn  Mustek. 

Seb.  We  would  fo,  and  then  go  a  bat-fowling. 

Ant.  Nay,  good  my  lord,  be  not  angry. 

Gon.  No,  I  warrant  you  ;  I  will  not  adventure  my 
difcretion  fo  weakly :  Will  you  laugh  me  afleep,  for  I 
am  very  heavy  ? 

Ant.  Go  fleep,  and  hear  us. 

[Gon.  Adr.  Fra.  and  Train,  fleep. 

Alo.  What,  all  fo  foon  afleep!  I  wifh,  mine  eyes 
Would,  with  themfelves,  Ihut  up  my  thoughts  ;  I  find, 
They  are  inclin'd  to  do  fo. 

Seb.  Please  you,  fir, 
Do  not  omit  the  heavy  offer  of  it : 
It  feldom  visits  forrow ;  when  it  doth, 
It  is  a  comforter. 

Ant.  We  two,  my  lord, 
Will  guard  your  perfon,  while  you  take  your  reft, 
And  watch  your  fafety. 

Alo.  Thank  you:  Wondrous  heavy. 

[Alo  n  so  flaps. 

Seb.  What  a  ftrange  drowsinefs  posseffes  them  ! 

Ant.  It  is  the  quality  o'  the  climate. 

Seb.  Why 
Doth  it  not  then  our  eye-lids  fink  I  I  find  not 
Myfelf  difpos'd  to  fleep. 

Ant.  Nor  I;  my  fpirits  are  nimble. 
They  fell  together  all,  as  by  confent ; 
They  dropt,  as  by  a  thunder-ftroke.  What  might 
Worthy  Sebajlian?  o,  what  might?  —No  more 
And  yet,  methinks,  I  fee  it  in  thy  face, 
W  hat  thou  fhould'it  be :  the  occasion  fpeaks  thee ;  and 


Vol.  I, 


C 


32 


The  TempeJI. 


My  ftrong  imagination  fees  a  crown 
Dropping  upon  thy  head. 

Seb.  What,  art  thou  waking? 

Ant.  Do  you  not  hear  me  fpeak  ? 

Seb.  I  do  :  and,  furely, 
It  is  a  fleepy  language ;  and  thou  fpeak*ft 
Out  of  thy  fleep  :  What  is  it  thou  did'ft  fay  ? 
This  is  a  llrange  repose,  to  be  afleep 
With  eyes  wide  open  ;  ftanding,  fpeaking,  moving, 
And  yet  fo  faft  afleep. 

A  Nr.  Noble  Sebajliatiy 
Thou  let'ft  thy  fortune  fleep ;  dye  rather :  wink'ft, 
Whiles  thou  art  waking. 

Seb.  Thou  doft  fnore  diftinftly; 
There's  meaning  in  thy  fnores. 

Ant.  I  am  more  ferious  than  my  cuftom  :  you 
Muft  be  fo  too,  if  heed  me ;  which  to  do, 
Trebles  thee  o'er. 

Seb.  Well ;  I  am  ftanding  water. 

Ant.  I'll  teach  you  how  to  flow. 

Seb.  Do  fo  :  to  ebb, 
Hereditary  floth  inftrudts  me. 

Ant.  O, 

If  you  but  knew,  how  you  the  purpose  cherifh, 
Whiles  thus  you  mock  it !  how,  in  ftripping  it, 
You  more  invert  it !  Ebbing  men,  indeed, 
Moft  often  do  fo  near  the  bottom  run, 
By  their  own  fear,  or  floth. 

Seb.  Pr'ythee,  fay  on  : 
The  fetting  of  thine  eye,  and  cheek,  proclaim 
A  matter  from  thee ;  and  a  birth,  indeed, 
Which  throes  thee  much  to  yield. 


The  Tempeft* 


33, 


Ant.  Thus,  fir : 
Although  this  lord  of  weak  remembrance,  "f"  this, 
(Who  mail  be  of  as  little  memory, 
When  he  is  earth'd)  hath  here  almoft  perfuaded 
(For  he's  a  fpirit  of  perfuasion,  only 
Profefles  to  perfuade)  the  king,  his  fon's  alive ; 
'Tis  as  impoflible  that  he's  undrown'd, 
As  he,  that  fleeps  here,  fwims. 

Seb.   I  have  no  hope, 
That  he's  undrown'd. 

Ant.  O,  out  of  that  no  hope, 
What  great  hope  have  you !  no  hope,  that  way,  is 
Another  way  fo  high  a  hope,  that  even 
Ambition  cannot  pierce  a  wink  beyond, 
But  doubts  difcovery  there.  Will  you  grant  with  me, 
That  Ferdinand  is  drown'd  ? 

S  eb.  He's  gone. 

Ant.  Then,  tell  me, 
Who's  the  next  heir  of  Naples  ? 

Seb.  Claribel. 

AnT.  She  that  is  queen  of  Tunis;  (he  that  dwells 
Ten  leagues  beyond  man's  life ;  fhe  that  from  Naples 
Can  have  no  note,  unlefs  the  fun  were  poft, 
(The  man  i'  the  moon's  too  flow)  'till  new-born  chins 
Be  rough  and  razorable ;  fhe  from  whom 
We  were  fea-fwallow'd,  —  though  fome  caft  again; 
And  (by  that  deftiny)  to  perform  an  a£t, 
Whereof,  what's  paft  is  prologue ;  what  to  come, 
In  yours,  and  my  difcharge. 

Seb.   What  fluff  is  this?— How  fay  you? 
'Tis  true,  my  brother's  daughter's  queen  of  T nnis  ; 
So  is  fhe  heir  of  Naples;  'twixt  which  regions 


*3  doubt    *5  She  that  from    xf)  We  aft  were 


34 


The  Tempeji. 


There  is  fome  fpace. 

AnT.  A  fpace,  whose  every  cubit 
Seems  to  cry  out,  Ho<w  Jhall  that  Claribel 
Measure  us  back  to  Naples  ?  —  Keep  in  Tunis, 
And  let  Sebajiian  wake.— Say,  this  were  death 
That  now  hath  feiz'd  them  ;  why,  they  were  no  worfe 
Than  now  they  are :  There  be,  that  can  rule  Naples 
As  well  as  he  that  fleeps ;  lords,  that  can  prate 
As  amply,  and  unnecefiarily, 
As  this  Gonzalo ;  I  myfelf  could  make 
A  chough  of  as  deep  chat.  O,  that  you  bore 
The  mind  that  I  do !  what  a  fleep  were  this 
For  your  advancement  ?  Do  you  underftand  me? 

Seb.  Methinks,  I  do. 

Ant.  And  how  does  your  content 
Tender  your  own  good  fortune  ? 

Seb.   I  remember, 
You  did  fupplant  your  brother  Profpero. 

A 'nt.  True  : 
And,  look,  how  feat  my  garments  fit  upon  me ; 
Much  feater  than  before  :  My  brother's  fervanta 
Were  then  my  fellows,  now  they  are  my  men. 

Seb.  But,  for  your  confcience  — 

AnT.  Ay,  fir ;  but  where  lyes  that  ?  if  'twere  a  kybe, 
'Twould  put  me  to  my  flipper  :  But  I  feel  not 
This  deity  in  my  bosom  :  twenty  confciences, 
That  {land  'twixt  me  and  Milan,  candy'd  be  they, 
Would  melt,  ere  they  moleft.  Here  lyes  your  brother, 
No  better  than  the  earth  he  lyes  upon, 
Jf  he  were  that  which  now  he's  like,  that's  dead  ; 
Whom  I  with  this  obedient  fteel,  three  inches  of  it, 
Can  lay  to  bed  for  ever :  whiles  you,  doing  "j"  thus, 


28  And  melt 


The  Tempeft. 


35 


To  the  perpetual  wink  for  aye  might  put 
This  ancient  morfel,  this  fir  Prudence,  who 
Should  not  upbraid  our  courfe :  For  all  the  reft, 
They'll  take  fuggeftion,  as  a  cat  laps  milk ; 
They'll  tell  the  clock  to  any  businefs  that 
We  fay  befits  the  hour. 

Seb.  Thy  cafe,  dear  friend, 
Shall  be  my  precedent ;  as  thou  got'ft  Milan, 
I'll  come  by  Naples.  Draw  thy  fword  :  one  ftroke 
Shall  free  thee  from  the  tribute  which  thou  pay'ft ; 
And  I  the  king  fhall  love  thee. 

Ant.  Draw  together  : 
And  when  I  rear  my  hand,  do  you  the  like 
To  fall  it  on  Gonzalo. 

Seb.   O,  but  one  word.  [they  talk  apart. 

Enter  Ariel,  invisible. 
Ari.  "  My  mailer  through  his  art  forefees  the  danger" 
"That  you,  his  friend,  are  in  ;  and  fends  me  forth" 
"  (For  elfe  his  project  dies)  to  keep  them  living." 

[J*nSs  ™  Gonzalo's  Ear. 
While  you  here  do  fnoring  lyey 
cpen-ey'd  con/piracy 

his  time  doth  take  : 
If  of  life  you  keep  a  care, 
jhake  off  Jlu7nber,  and  beware  : 
awake!  awake  I 
Ant.  Then  let  us  both  be  fudden. 
Gon.  Now,  good  angels  preserve  the  king! 

[farting  up.  All wake. 
Alo.  Why,  how  now,  ho  !  awake  ?  —  Why  are  you 
Wherefore  this  gaftly  looking  ?  [drawn  ? 

Goif.  What's  the  matter : 

C  3 


)6 


The  Temp  eft. 


See.  Whiles  we  flood  here  fecuring  your  repose, 
Even  now,  we  heard  a  hollow  burft  of  bellowing 
Like  bulls,  or  rather  lions  ;  Did't  not  wake  you  i 
It  ftrook  mine  ear  moft  terribly. 

Alo.  I  heard  nothing. 

Ant.  O,  'twas  a  din  to  fright  a  monfter's  ear; 
To  make  an  earth-quake !  fure,  it  was  the  roar 
Of  a  whole  herd  of  lions. 

Alo.  Heard  you  this,  GonzaloP 

Gon.  Upon  mine  honour,  fir,  I  heard  a  humming, 
And  that  a  ftrange  one  too,  which  did  awake  me : 
I  fhak'd  you,  fir,  and  cry'd ;  as  mine  eyes  open'd, 
I  faw  their  weapons  drawn :  there  was  a  noise, 
That's  verily :  'Tis  bell,  we  ftand  upon  our  guard ; 
Or  that  we  quit  this  place  :  let's  draw  our  weapons. 

Alo.  Lead  off  this  ground  ;  and  let's  make  further 
For  my  poor  fon.  [fearch 

Gon.  Heavens  keep  him  from  these  beafts! 
For  he  is,  fure,  i'  the  ifland. 

Alo.  Lead  away. 

Ari.  "  Profperomy  lordlhall  know  what  I  have  done. " 
"  So,  king,  go  fafely  on  to  feek  thy  fon."  [Exeunt. 

SCENE  II.  Another  Part  of  the  IJland. 
Enter  Caliban,  woith  a  Burthen  of  Wood : 
A  Noise  of  Thunder  heard. 
Cal.  All  the  infections  that  the  fun  fucks  up 

[throwing  down  his  Burthen. 
From  bogs,  fens,  flats,  on  Pro/per  fall,  and  make  him 
By  inch-meal  a  disease !  His  fpirits  hear  me, 
And  yet  I  needs  muft  curfe.  But  they'll  not  pinch, 
Fright  me  with  urchin  (hews,  pitch  me  i'  th'  mire, 


The  TempeJI. 


17 


Nor  lead  me,  like  a  fire-brand,  in  the  dark 
Out  of  my  way,  unlefs  he  bid  'em  ;  but 
For  every  trifle  are  they  fet  upon  me  : 
Sometime  like  apes,  that  moe  and  chatter  at  me, 
And  after  bite  me;  then  like  hedge-hogs,  which 
Lye  tumbling  in  my  bare-foot  way,  and  mount 
Their  pricks  at  my  foot-fall ;  fometime  am  I 
All  wound  with  adders,  who  with  cloven  tongues 
Do  hifs  me  into  madnefs  ;"~*Lo,  now,  lo  ! 

Enter  Trinculo. 
Here  comes  a  fpirit  of  his ;  and  to  torment  me, 
For  bringing  wood  in  flowly  :  I'll  fall  flat ; 

\cafis  bimfelf  on  the  Ground* 
Perchance,  he  will  not  mind  me. 

Tri.  Here's  neither  bum  nor  flirub,  to  bear  off*  any 
weather  at  all  ;  and  another  llorm  brewing,  I  hear  it 
fing  i'  th'  wind  :  yond'  fame  black  cloud,  yond'  huge 
one,  looks  like  a  foul  bumbard  that  would  lhed  his  li- 
quor: if  it  fhould  thunder,  as  it  did  before,  I  know  not 
where  to  hide  my  head  :  yond'  fame  cloud  cannot  choose 
but  fall  by  pail-fulls.  —  What  have  we  here?  [feeing 
Caliban.]  a  man,  or  a  fifth?  Dead,  or  alive  ?  A  fifth :  he 
fmells  like  a  fifth  ;  a  very  ancient  and  fifth-like  fmell;  a 
kind  of,  not  of  the  neweft,  poor- John.  A  ftrange  fifth! 
Were  I  in  England  now,  (as  once  I  was)  and  had  but 
this  fifth  painted,  not  a  holiday  fool  there  but  would 
give  a  piece  of  filver  :  there  would  this  monfter  make 
a  man  ;  any  ftrange  beaft  there  makes  a  man ;  when 
they  will  not  give  a  doit  to  relieve  a  lame  beggar, 
they  will  lay  out  ten  to  fee  a  dead  Indian.  Leg'd  like 
a  man  !  and  his  fins  like  arms  !  Warm,  o'my  troth!  I 
do  now  let  loofe  my  opinion,  hold  it  no  longer  \  this 

C  4 


38 


The  Tempejl. 


is  no  fifli,  but  an  iflander,  that  hath  lately  fuffer'd  by  a 
thunder-bolt.  [Thunder."]  Alas,  the  ftorm  is  come  again: 
my  beft  way  is  to  creep  under  his  gaberdine  ;  there  is 
no  other  flielter  hereabout :  Misery  acquaints  a  man 
with  ftrange  bed-fellows :  I  will  here  Ihrowd  'till  the 
dregs  of  the  ftorm  be  pad.        [creeping  under  Caliban. 
Enter  Stephano,  fing^ng  5  a  Bottle  in  his  Hand. 
STE.        I  Jhall  no  more  to  fea,  to  fea, 
here  Jhall  I  dye  a-Jhcre  ;  — 
This  is  a  very  fcurvy  tune  to  fing  at  a  man's  funeral : 
Well,  here's  my  comfort.  [drinks. 
The  mafter,  the  fwabber,  the  boatfwain,  and  I, 

the  gunner,  and  his  mate, 
lev' d  Mall,  Meg,  and  Mzrn&xs,  and  Margery, 
but  none  of  us  car'd  for  Kate  : 
for  jhe  had  a  tongue  with  a  tang, 
would  cry  to  a  Jailor ,  Go,  hang; 
Jhe  lo<v*d  not  the  J'avour  of  tar  nor  of  pitch, 
yet  a  tailor  might  J  cratch  her  nuhere-e^er  Jhe  did  itch  : 
then  to  fea,  boys,  and  let  her  go  hang. 
This  is  a  fcurvy  tune  too :  But  here's  my  comfort,  [drinks. 
Cal.  Do  not  torment  me  :  O  ! 
Ste.  What's  the  matter?  Have  we  devils  here?  Do 
you  put  tricks  upon's.  with  favages,  and  men  of  Inde  ? 
Ha  !  I  have  not  'fcap'd  drowning,  to  be  afeard  now  of 
your  four  legs  ;  for  it  hath  been  faid,  As  proper  a  man 
as  ever  went  on  four  legs  cannot  make  him  give  ground : 
and  it  mall  be  faid  fo  again,  while  Stephano  breaths  at 
noftrils. 

Cal  .  The  fpirit  torments  me ;  O  ! 
Ste.  This  is  fome  monfter  of  the  ifle,  with  four  legs ; 
who  hath  get,  as  1  take  it,  an  ague :  Where,  the  devil* 


The  Tempeft. 


39 


fhould  he  learn  our  language  ?  I  will  give  him  fome 
relief,  if  it  be  but  for  that :  If  I  can  recover  him,  and 
keep  him  tame,  and  get  to  Naples  with  him,  he's  a  pre- 
sent for  any  emperor  that  ever  trod  on  neat's-leather. 

CjtL.  Do  not  torment  me,  pr'ythee;  I'll  bring  my 
wood  home  fafter. 

Ste.  He's  in  his  fit  now;  and  does  not  talk  after 
the  wiseft  :  He  mail  tafte  of  my  bottle  :  if  he  have 
never  drunk  wine  afore,  it  will  go  near  to  remove  his 
fit  :  If  I  can  recover  him,  and  keep  him  tame,  I  will 
not  take  too  much  for  him  ;  he  mall  pay  for  him,  that 
hath  him,  and  that  fouudly. 

Cal,  Thou  doft  ine  yet  but  little  hurt;  thou  wilt 
anon,  I  know  it  by  thy  trembling:  Now  Pro/per-  works 
upon  thee. 

Ste.  Come  on  your  ways  ;  open  your  mouth  ;  here 
is  that  which  will  give  language  to  you,  cat ;  open  your 
mouth  :  this  will  fhake  your  making,  I  can  tell  you, 
and  that  foundly  :  you  cannot  tell  who's  your  friend  ; 
open  your  chaps  again. 

I  mould  know  that  voice  :  It  mould  be  —  But 
he  is  drown'd ;  and  these  are  devils :  O,  defend  me ! 

Ste.  Four  legs,  and  two  voices  ;  a  moft  delicate 
monfter!  His  forward  voice  now  is  to  fpeak  well  of  his 
friend ;  his  backward  voice  is  to  utter  foul  fpeeches,  and 
to  detract  :  If  all  the  wine  in  my  bottle  will  recover  him, 
I  will  help  his  ague  :  Come,  Amen ;  I  will  pour  fome 
in  thy  other  mouth. 

Tri.  Stephano, — 

Ste.  Doth  thy  other  mouth  call  me  ?  mercy,  mercy! 
This  is  a  devil,  and  no  monfter:  I  will  leave  him ;  I 
have  no  long  fpcjon. 


4o 


The  Tempejl. 


Tri.  Stepbano,—if thou  be'ft  Stephana,  touch  me,  and 
fpeak  to  me  ;  for  I  am  Trinculo,  —  be  not  afeard,  —  thy 
good  friend  Trinculo. 

Ste.  If  thou  be'ft  T vinculo,  come  forth ;  I'll  pull  thee 
by  the  leffer  legs  ;  if  any  be  Trinculo's  legs,  these  are 
they  :  [hauling  him  :  he  and  Cal.  rise.]  Thou  art  very 
Trinculo  indeed  :  How  cam'ft  thou  to  be  the  fiege  of  this 
moon-calf?  can  he  vent  Trinculo 's  ? 

Tri.  I  took  him  to  be  kill'd  with  a  thunder-ftroke 
But  art  thou  not  drown'd,  Stephano  ?  I  hope  now,  thou 
art  not  drown'd  :  —  Is  the  ftorm  over- blown  ?  I  hid  me 
under  the  dead  moon-calf's  gaberdine,  for  fear  of  the 
ftorm  :  —And  art  thou  living,  Stephano?  O  Stephano,  two 
Neapolitans  'fcap'd ! 

Ste.  Pr'ythee,  do  not  turn  me  about;  my  ftomaeh 
is  not  conftant. 

Cal  .  These  be  fine  things,  an  if  they  be  not  fprights! 
That's  a  brave  god,  and  bears  celeftial  liquor  : 
I  will  kneel  to  him. 

Ste.  How  did'ft  thou  Ycape  ?  How  cam'ft  thou  hi- 
ther ?  fvvear  by  this  bottle,  how  thou  cam'ft  hither.  I 
efcap'd  upon  a  but  of  fack,  which  the  failors  heaved 
o'er-board,  by  this  bottle  !  which  I  made  of  the  bark  of 
a  tree,  with  mine  own  hands,  fmce  I  was  caft  a-lhore. 

Cal.  I'll  fwear,  upon  that  bottle,  to  be  thy  true  fub- 
jedl;  for  the  liquor  is  not  earthly. 

Ste.  Here;  fwear  then  how  thou  efcap'dft. 

Tri.  Sworn  a-lhore,  man,  like  a  duck;  I  can  fvvim 
like  a  duck,  I'll  be  fworn. 

Ste.  Here,  "f"  kifs  the  book:  Though  thou  can'ft 
fwim  like  a  duck,  thou  art  made  like  a  goofe, 

Tri.  O  Stephano,  haft  any  more  of  this  ? 


The  Tempefi. 


4i 


Ste.  The  whole  but,  man  ;  my  cellar  Is  in  a  rock  by 
th'  Tea- fide,  where  my  wine  is  hid — How  now,  moon- 
calf? how  does  thine  ague? 

Cal.  Haft  thou  not  dropt  from  heaven  ? 

Ste.  Out  o'  th'  moon,  I  do  aflure  thee  :  I  was  the 
man  i'  th'  moon,  when  time  was. 

Cal.  I  have  feen  thee  in  her  ;  and  I  do  adore  thee : 
My  miftrefs  fhew'd  me  thee,  and  thy  dog,  and  thy  bum. 

Ste.  Come,  fwear  to  that;  kifs  the  book:  I  will 
furnifh  it  anon  with,  new  contents :  ~j~  fwear. 

Tri.  By  this  good  light,  this  is  a  very  mallow  mon- 
fter :  — I  afeard  of  him  ?  ~  a  very  weak  monfter :  —  The 
man  i'  th'  moon  ?  — -  a  moft  poor  credulous  monfter  :  — 
Well  drawn,  monfter,  in  good  footh. 

Cal.  I'll  mew  thee  every  fertil  inch  o'the  ifle  ; 
And  I  will  kifs  thy  foot :  I  pr'ythee,  be  my  god. 

Tri.  By  this  light,  a  moft  perfidious  and  drunken 
monfter;  when's  god's  afleep,  he'll  rob  his  bottle. 

Cal.  I'll  kifs  thy  foot :  I'll  fwear  myfelf  thy  fubjett. 

Ste.  Come  on  then;  down,  and  fwear. 

Tri.  I  fhall  laugh  myfelf  to  death  at  this  puppy- 
headed  monfter  :  A  moft  fcurvy  monfter  :  I  could  find 
in  my  heart  to  beat  him,  — 

Ste.  Come,  kifs. 

Tri.  but  that  the  poor  monfter's  in  drink  :  An  abo- 
minable monfter.  [berries ; 

Cal.  I'll  ftiew  thee  the  beft  fprings ;  I'll  pluck  thee 
Til  filh  for  thee,  and  get  thee  wood  enough. 
A  plague  upon  the  tyrant  that  I  ferve  ! 
I'll  bear  him  no  more  flicks,  but  follow  thee, 
Thru  wondrous  man. 

Tri.  A  moft  ridiculous  monfter ;  to  make  a  wonder 


42 


The  Tempejl. 


of  a  poor  drunkard  ! 

Cal.  I  pr'ythee,  let  me  bring  thee  where  crabs  grow; 
And  I  with  my  long  nails  will  dig  thee  pig-nuts  ; 
Show  thee  a  jay's  neft,  and  inftrudl  thee  how 
To  mare  the  nimble  marmoset;  I'll  bring  thee 
To  cluft'ring  nlberds,  and  fometimes  I'll  get  thee 
Young  fcamels  from  the  rock :  Wilt  thou  go  with  me  ? 

Ste.  I  pr'ythee  now,  lead  the  way  without  any  more 
talking.  —  Trinculo,  the  king,  and  all  our  company  elfe, 
being  drown'd,  we  will  inherit  here.  —  Here,  [to  Cal,] 
bear  my  bottle:  — Fellow  Trinculo,  we'll  fill  him  by  and 
by  again. 

Cal.  Farewell  majier\  farewel,  fareweL 

[finging  drunkenly. 
Tri.  A  howling  monller  ;  a  drunken  monfter* 
Cal  .  No  more  dams  Fll  make  for  fijh  \ 
nor  fetch  in  firing 
at  requiring^ 
nor  f crape  trenchering,  nor  wajh  dijh  : 
'Ban,  'Ban,  Ca— Caliban 
has  a  new  mafler,  — Get  a  new  man. 
Freedom,  hey-day !  hey-day,  freedom !  freedom,  hey- 
day, freedom  ! 

Ste.  O  brave  monfter !  lead  the  way.  [Exeunt. 


Acr  in. 

S  CE  NE  I.  Before  ProfperoV  Cell. 
Enter  Ferdinand,  bearing  a  Log. 

[bour 

Fer.  There  be  fome  fports  are  painful ;  and  their  la* 
Delight  in  them  fets  off :  fome  kinds  of  bafenefs 


3*  fet 


The  Tempejh 


43 


Are  nobly  undergone  ;  and  moll  poor  matters 

Point  to  rich  ends :  This  my  mean  talk  would  be 

As  heavy  to  me,  as  'tis  odious  ;  but 

The  miftrefs,  which  I  ferve,  quickens  what's  dead, 

And  makes  my  labours  pleasures  :  O,  fhe  is 

Ten  times  more  gentle,  than  her  father's  crabbed ; 

And  he's  compos'd  of  harfhnefs.  I  muft  remove 

Some  thousands  of  these  logs,  and  pile  them  up, 

Upon  a  fore  injunction  :  my  fweet  miftrefs 

Weeps,  when  fhe  fees  me  work  ;  and  fays,  fuch  bafenefs 

Had  ne'er  like  executor.  1  forget: 

But  these  fweet  thoughts  do  even  refrem  my  labours; 

Moft  busy-lefs,  when  I  do  it. 

Enter  Miranda  ;  ^WProspero, 
at  a  Diftance,  unfeen. 

Mir.  Alas,  now!  pray  you, 
Work  not  fo  hard  :  I  would,  the  lightning  had 
Burnt  up  those  logs  that  you're  enjoin'd  to  pile  ! 
Pray,  fet  it  down,  and  reft  you  :  when  this  burns, 
'Twill  weep  for  having  weary'd  you  :  My  father 
Is  hard  at  ftudy;  pray  now,  reft  yourfeif; 
He's  fafe  for  these  three  hours. 

Fer.  O  moft  dear  miftrefs, 
The  fun  will  fet  before  I  fhall  difcharge 
What  1  muft  ftrive  to  do. 

Mir.  If  you'll  fit  down, 
I'll  bear  your  logs  the  while:  Pray,  give  me  that  3 
I'll  carry't  to  the  pile. 

Fer.   No,  precious  creature  ; 
I  had  rather  crack  my  finews,  break  my  back, 
Than  you  lhould  fuch  difhonour  undergo. 
While  [  fit  lazy  by. 


5  ?  trafcleft 


44 


The  Tempeft. 


Mir.  It  would  become  me 
As  well  as  it  does  you :  and  I  mould  do  it 
With  much  more  ease  ;  for  my  good  will  is  to  it, 
And  yours  it  is  againft. 

Pro.  * 1 Poor  worm,  thou  art  infected;" 
"This  visitation  mews  it." 

Mir.  You  look  wearily. 

Fer.  No,  noble  miftrefs  ;  'tis  frefh  morning  with 
When  you  are  by  at  night*  I  do  befeech  you, 
(Chiefly,  that  I  might  fet  it  in  my  prayers) 
What  is  you  name  ? 

Mir.  Miranda:  ~0  my  father, 
I  have  broke  your  heft  to  fay  fo. 

Fer.  Admir'd  Miranda  ! 
Indeed,  the  top  of  admiration ;  worth 
What  deareft  to  the  world !  Full  many  a  lady 
I  have  ey'd  with  bell:  regard ;  and  many  a  time 
The  harmony  of  their  tongues  hath  into  bondage 
Brought  my  too  diligent  ear  :  for  feveral  virtues 
Have  I  lik'd  feveral  women  ;  never  any 
With  fo  full  foul,  but  fome  defect  in  her 
Did  quarrel  with  the  nobleft  grace  fhe  ow'd, 
And  put  it  to  the  foil :  But  you,  o  you, 
So  perfect,  and  fo  peerlefs,  are  created 
Of  every  creature's  beft. 

Mir.  I  do  not  know 
One  of  my  fex  ;  no  woman's  face  remember, 
Save,  from  my  glafs,  my  own  ;  nor  have  I  feen 
More  that  I  may  call  men,  than  you,  good  friend, 
And  my  dear  father  :  how  features  are  abroad, 
I  am  fkill-lefs  of ;  but,  by  my  modefty, 
(The  jewel  in  my  dower)  I  would  not  wilh 


The  Tempeji. 


45 


Any  companion  In  the  world  but  you; 
Nor  can  imagination  form  a  fhape, 
Befides  yourfelf,  to  like  of :  But  I  prattle 
Something  too  wildly,  and  my  father's  precepts 
I  therein  do  forget. 

Fer.  I  am,  in  my  condition, 
A  prince,  Miranda  ;  I  do  think,  a  king  ; 
(I  would  not  fo!)  and  would  no  more  endure 
This  wooden  flavery,  than  I  would  fuiFer 
The  flefli-fly  blow  my  mouth  :  Hear  my  foul  fpeak ; 
The  very  inftant  that  I  faw  you,  did 
My  heart  fly  to  your  fervice  ;  there  resides, 
To  make  me  flave  to  it ;  and,  for  your  fake, 
Am  I  this  patient  log-man. 

Mir.  Do  you  love  me  ? 

Fer.  O  heaven,  o  earth,  bear  witnefs  to  this  found, 
And  crown  what  I  profefs  with  kind  event, 
If  I  fpeak  true;  if  hollowly,  invert 
What  belt  is  boded  me,  to  mifchief !  I, 
Beyond  all  limit  of  what  elfe  i'the  world, 
Do  love,  prize,  honour  you. 

Mir.  I  am  a  fool, 
To  weep  at  what  I  am  glad  of. 

Pro.    "  Fair  encounter " 
"Of  two  moft  rare  afFe&ions!  Heavens  rain  grace ?J 
"On  that  which  breeds  between  them!" 

Fer.  Wherefore  weep  you  ? 

Mir.  At  mine  unworthinefs,  that  dare  not  offer 
What  I  desire  to  give  ;  and  much  lefs  take 
What  I  fhall  dye  to  want:  But  this  is  trifling; 
And  all  the  more  it  feeks  to  hide  itfelf, 
The  bigger  bulk  it  fhews.  Hence,  bafhful  cunning  ; 


9  then  to  fttf&f 


46 


The  TempeJI. 


And  prompt  me,  plain  and  holy  innocence  ! 
I  am  your  wife,  if  you  will  marry  me  ; 
If  not,  Til  dye  your  maid  :  to  be  your  fellow 
You  may  deny  me  ;  but  Til  be  your  fervant, 
Whether  you  will  or  no. 

Fer.  My  miftrefs,  deareft, 
And  I  thus  humble  ever. 

Mir.  My  husband  then? 

Fer.  Ay,  with  a  heart  as  willing 
As  bondage  e'er  of  freedom  :  here's  my  hand.  [wel, 

Mir.  And  mine,  with  my  heart  in't:  And  now,  fare- 
'Till  half  an  hour  hence. 

Fer.  A  thousand  thousand  ! 

[Exeunt  Fer.  and  Mir.  federally. 

Pro.   So  glad  of  this  as  they,  I  cannot  be, 
Who  are  furpriz'd  with  all ;  but  my  rejoicing 
At  nothing  can  be  more.  I'll  to  my  book  ; 
For  yet,  ere  fupper-time,  mull  I  perform 
Much  businefs  appertaining.  [Exit. 

SCENE  II.  Another  Part  of  the  ljland. 
Enter  Stepkano,  WTrinculo,  reelings 
Caliban  following)  <with  the  Bottle. 
Ste.  Tell  not  me  ;  when  the  but  is  out,  we  will 
drink  water;  not  a  drop,  before :  therefore  bear  up,  and 
board  'em  -.  —  Servant  monfter,  drink  to  me. 

Tri.  Servant  monfter  ?  the  folly  of  this  illand  !  They 
fay,  there's  but  five  upon  this  ille  :  we  are  three  of  them; 
if  the  other  two  be  brain'd  like  us,  the  ftate  totters. 

Ste.  Drink,  fervant  monfter,  when  I  bid  thee  ;  thy 
eyes  are  almoft  fet  in  thy  head. 
Tri.  Where  Ihould  they  be  fet  elfe  ?  he  were  a  brave 


The  Tempeft. 


47 


monfter  indeed,  if  they  were  fet  in  his  tail. 

Ste.  My  man  monfter  hath  drown'd  his  tongue  in 
fack  :  for  my  part,  the  fea  cannot  drown  me  ;  I  fwam, 
ere  I  could  recover  the  more,  five  and  thirty  leagues, 
off  and  on,  by  this  light.— Thou  fhalt  be  my  lieutenant, 
monfter,  or  my  ftandard. 

Tri.  Your  lieutenant,  if  you  lift  ;  he's  no  ftandard. 

Ste.  We'll  not  run,  monfieur  monfter. 

Tri.  Nor  go  neither:  but  you'll  lye,  like  dogs  ;  and 
yet  fay  nothing  neither. 

Ste.  Moon-calf,  fpeak  once  in  thy  life,  if  thou  be'it 
a  good  moon-calf. 

Cal.  How  does  thy  honour  ?  Let  me  lick  thy  fhoe: 
I'll  not  ferve  him,  he  is  not  valiant. 

Tri.  Thou  ly'ft,  moft  ignorant  monfter  ;  I  am  in 
cafe  to  juftle  a  conftable  :  Why,  thou  debofh'd  fifti  thou, 
was  there  ever  man  a  coward,  that  hath  drunk  fo  much 
fack  as  I  to-day  ?  Wilt  thou  tell  me  a  mpnftrous  lye, 
being  but  half  a  fifh,  and  half  a  monfter? 

Cal.  Lo,  how  he  mocks  me;  Wilt  thou  let  him,  my 
lord? 

Tri.  Lord,  quoth  he  ?  that  a  monfter  mould  be  fuch 
a  natural ! 

Cal.  Lo,  lo,  again  :  bite  him  to  death,  I  pr'ythee. 

Ste.  Trinculo,  keep  a  good  tongue  in  your  head;  if 
you  prove  a  mutineer,  the  next  tree  :  the  poor  monfter's 
my  fubjecl,  and  he  lhall  not  fuffer  indignity. 

Cal  j  I  thank  my  noble  lord.  Wilt  thou  be  pleas'd 
To  hearken  once  again  to  the  fuit  I  made  to  thee  ? 

Sri.  Marry,  will  I  :  kneel,  and  repeat  it;  I  will 
ftand,  and  fo  ftiall  Trinculo. 

Enter  Ariel,  invisible. 

5  v.  Note, 


Vol.  L 


D 


4  3 


Sr&£  Temp  eft. 


Cal.  As  I  told  thee  before,  I  am  fuhject  to  a  tyrant; 
a  forcerer,  that  by  his  cunning  hath  cheated  me  of  the 
ifland. 

Aru  Thou  ly'ft. 

Cal.  Thou  ly'ft,  thou  jefting  monkey  thou; 
T  would,  my  valiant  mafter  would  deftroy  thee  : 
I  do  not  lye. 

Ste  .  Trinculo,  if  you  trouble  him  any  more  in's  tale, 
by  this  hand,  1  will  fupplant  fome  of  your  teeth. 

Tri.  Why,  I  faid  nothing. 

Ste.  Mum,  then,  and  no  more  Proceed. 

Cal.  I  fay,  by  forcery  he  got  this  ifle  ; 
From  me  he  got  it:  If  thy  greatnefs  will 
Revenge  it  on  him,— for,  1  know,  thou  dar'ft  ; 
But  this  ~f  thing  dare  not,;— 

Ste.  That's  molt  certain. 

Cal.  thou  malt  be  lord  of  it,  and  Til  ferve  thee. 

Ste.  How  now  mail  this  be  compaff'd  ?  Can'ft  thou 
bring  me  to  the  party  -? 

Cal.  Yea,  yea,  my  lord  ;  I'll  yield  him  thee  afleep, 
Where  thou  may'ft  knock  a  nail  into  his  head. 

Ari.  Thou  ly'ft,  thou  can'ft  not. 

Cal  .  What  apy'd  ninny's  this  ?_Thou  fcurvy  patch!— 
I  do  befeech  thy  greatnefs,  give  him  blows, 
And  take  his  bottle  from  him  :  when  that's  gone, 
He  mail  drink  nought  but  brine  ;  for  I'll  not  (hew  him 
Where  the  quick  frehhes  are. 

Ste.  Trinculoy  run  into  no  further  danger  :  interrupt 
the  monfter  one  word  further,  and,  by  this  hand,  I'll  turn 
my  mercy  out  o'  doors,  and  make  a  ftock-fifh  of  thee. 

Tri.  Why,  what  did  I  ?  I  did  nothing :  I'll  go  no 
farther  off. 


The  Tcmpeft. 


49 


Ste.  Did'ft  thou  not  fay,  he  ly'd  ? 
Ari.  Thou  ly'ft. 

Ste.  Do  I  fo  ?  take  thou  that :  [Jlr -iking him.]  As  you 
like  this,  give  me  the  lye  another  time. 

T ri.  I  did  not  give  the  lye  :  Out  o'  your  wits,  and 
hearing  too  ?~ A  pox  o'  your  bottle  !  this  can  fack,  and 
drinking,  do.  ~A  murrain  on  your -monfter,  and  the 
devil  take  your  ringers ! 

Cal.  Ha,  ha,  ha. 

Ste.  Now  forward  with  your  tale.— Pr'y thee,  (land 
further  off. 

Cal.  Beat  him  enough  :  after  a  little  time, 
I'll  beat  him  too. 

Ste.  Stand  further  Come,  proceed. 

Cal.  Why,  as  I  told  thee,  'tis  a  cuftom  with  him 
I'  the  afternoon  to  fleep :  there  thou  may'ft  brain  him, 
Having  firft  feiz'd  his  books  ;  or  with  a  log 
Batter  his  feull,  or  paunch  him  with  a  ftake, 
Or  cut  his  wezand  with  thy  knife :  Remember, 
Firft  to  possefs  his  books :  for  without  them 
He's  but  a  fot,  as  I  am  ;  nor  hath  not 
One  fpirit  to  command ;  they  all  do  hate  him 
As  rootedly  as  I :  burn  but  his  books. 
He  has  brave  utenfils,  (for  fo  he  calls  them) 
Which,  when  he  has  a  houfe,  he'll  deck  withal. 
And  that  moft  deeply  to  confider,  is 
The  beauty  of  his  daughter ;  he  himfelf 
Calls  her,  a  non-pareil :  I  never  faw  a  woman, 
But  only  Sycorax  my  dam,  and  Hie ; 
But  me  as  far  furpafTeth  Sycorax* 
As  great'ft  does  leaft. 

Ste.  Is  it  fo  brave  a  lafs  ? 

D  2 


The  Tempefl. 


Cal.  Ay,  lord  ;  fhe  will  become  thy  bed,  I  warrant, 
And  bring  thee  forth  brave  brood. 

Ste.  Monfter,  I  will  kill  this  man  :  his  daughter  and 
I  will  be  king  and  queen  ;  (fave  our  graces  !)  and  T'rin- 
culo  and  thyfeif  (hall  be  viceroys  :  _  Doft  thou  like  the 
plot,  Trinculo? 

Tri.  Excellent. 

Ste  .  Give  me  thy  hand ;  I  arri  forry,  I  beat  thee  :  but, 
while  thou  liv'ft,  keep  a  good  tongue  in  thy  head. 

Cal.  Within  this  half  hour  will  he  be  afleep  ; 
Wilt  thou  deftroy  him  then  ? 

Ste.  Ay,  on  mine  honour. 

Ari.  "  This  will  I  tell  my  matter.  " 

Cal*  Thou  mak'ft  me  merry  :  I  am  full  of  pleasure  ; 
Let  us  be  jocund  :  Will  you  troul  the  catch 
You  taught  me  but  while-ere  ? 

Ste.  At  thy  requeft,  monfter,  I  will  do  reason,  any 

reason  :  Come  on,  Trinculo  ;  let  us  fing. 

Flout  'em,  and  fcout  *em ;  and Jcout  'em,  and flout  *em  ; 
Thought  is  free  — 

Cal.  That's  not  the  tune. 

[Ariel  plays  the  Tune  on  a  Tabor  and  Pipe. 

Ste.  What  is  this  fame  ? 

Tri.  This  is  the  tune  of  our  catch,  play'd  by  the 
piclure  of  no-body. 

Ste.  If  thou  be'ft  a  man,  mew  thyfeif  in  thy  Jike- 
nefs :  if  thou  be'ft  a  devil,  take't  as  thou  lift. 

Tri.   O,  forgive  me  my  fins ! 

Ste.  He  that  dies,  pays  all  debts :  I  defy  thee:  — 
Mercy  upon  us ! 

Cal.  Art  thou  afeard? 

Ste.  No,  monfter,  not  L 


The  Tempejt. 


Cjl,  Be  not  afear'd  ;  the  ifle  is  full  of  noises, 
Sounds,  and  fweet  airs,  that  give  delight,  and  hurt  not. 
Sometimes  a  thousand  twangling  inftruments 
Will  hum  about  mine  ears  ;  and  fometime  voices, 
That,  if  I  then  had  wak'd  after  long  fleep, 
Will  make  me  fleep  again  :  and  then,  in  dreaming, 
The  clouds,  methought,  would  open,  and  fliew  riches 
Ready  to  drop  upon  me ;  that,  when  I  wak'd, 
I  cry'd  to  dream  again. 

Ste.  This  will  prove  a  brave  kingdom  to  me,  where 
I  fhall  have  my  musick  for  nothing. 

Cal  .  When  Profpero  is  deftroy'd. 

Ste.  That  fhall  be  by  and  by  :  I  remember  the 
ftory. 

Tri.  The  found  is  going  away  :  let's  follow  it, 
.And  after  do  our  work. 

Ste.  Lead,  monfter;  we'll  follow. _ I  would,  I  could 
fee  this  taborer  ;  he  lays  it  on. 

Tri.  Wilt  come  ? 

Ste.  I'll  follow.  [Exeunt. 

SCENE  III.  Another  Part  of  the  IJland. 
Enter  Alonso,  Sebastian,  Antonio,  Gonzalo, 
Adrian,  Francisco,  and  Others. 

Gon.  By'r-lakin,  I  can  go  no  further,  fir; 
My  old  bones  ake  :  Here's  a  maze  trod,  indeed, 
Through  forth-rights,  and  meanders !  by  your  patience, 
I  needs  mult  reft  me. 

Alq.  Old  lord,  I  cannot  blame  thee, 
Who  am  myfelf  attach'd  with  wearinefs, 
To  the  dulling  of  my  fpirits  :  fit  down,  and  reft. 
Even  here  I  will  put  oft  my  hope,  and  keep  it 

10  v.  Note, 

I>  3 


5* 


The  Tempeft, 


No  longer  for  my  flatterer :  he  is  drown'd, 
Whom  thus  we  flray  to  find  ;  and  the  fea  mocks 
Our  fruftrate  fearch  on  land  :  Well,  let  him  go. 

Ant.  "  I  am  right  glad,  that  he's  fo  out  of  hope.  " 
"  Do  not,  for  one  repulfe,  forego  the  purpose" 
"  That  you  resolv'd  to  effeft. " 

Seb.    "  The  next  advantage  " 
"  Will  we  take  throughly.  " 

Ant.  "Let  it  be  to-night;" 
"  For,  now  they  are  oppreff'd  with  travail,  they" 
"  Will  not,  nor  cannot,  use  fuch  vigilance" 
"As  when  they  are  frefh,  " 

Seb.  "  I  fay,  to-night  :  no  more." 

Solemn  and  ftrange  Mustek  :  and  Profpero, 
cn  the  Fop,  invisible.  Enter  fewer  al ftrange  Shapes-, 
bringing  in  a  Banquet ;  and  dance  about  it,  with 
gentle  Actions  of  Salutation  ;  and,  inviting  the 
King,  &c.  to  eat,  they  depart. 

Alo.  What  harmony  is  this?  my  good  friends,  hark. 

Gon.  Marvelous  fweet  musick  !  [these  ? 

Alo.  Give  us  kind  keepers,  heavens  !  What  were 

Seb.   A  living  drolery  :  Now  I  will  believe, 
That  there  are  unicorns ;  that  in  Arabia 
There  is  one  tree,  the  phoenix'  throne  ;  one  phoenix, 
At  this  hour  reigning  there. 

Ant.  1*11  believe  both  ; 
And  what  does  elfe  want  credit,  come  to  me, 
And  I'll  be  fworn  'tis  true  :  Travellers  ne'er  did  lye, 
Though  fools  at  home  condemn  'em. 

Gon.  If  in  Naples 
I  fhould  report  this  now,  would  they  believe  me  ? 
If  I  fhould  fay,  I  faw  fuch  iflanders, 


The  Tcmpejl. 


5  3 


(For,  certes,  these  are  people  of  the  ifiand) 
Who  though  they  are  of  montfrous  (hape,  yet,  note, 
Their  manners  are  more  gentle,  kind,  than  of 
Our  human  generation  you  (hall  find 
Many,  nay,  almoft  any. 

Pro.  "Honeff  lord," 
"  Thou  haft  faid  well ;  for  fome  of  you  there  present" 
M  Are  worfe  than  devils." 

Jlo.  I  cannot  too  much  muse; 
Such  lhapes,  fuch  gefture,  and  fuch  found,  exprefling 
(Although  they  want  the  ufe  of  tongue)  a  kind 
Of  excellent  dumb  difcourfe. 

Pro.  " Praise  in  departing.  " 

Fra.  They  vanihYd  itrangely. 

Seb.  No  matter,  fince  [machs  — 

They  have  left  their  viands  behind;  for  we  have  llo- 
Wilt  please  you  tafte  of  what  is  here  ? 

Jlo.  Not  I.  [boys, 

Gon.  'Faith,  fir,  you  need  not  fear :  When  we  were 
Who  would  believe  that  there  were  mountaineers 
Dew-lapt  like  bulls,  whose  throats  had  hanging  at  'em 
Wallets  of  flefli  ?  or  that  there  were  fuch  men 
Whose  heads  flood  in  their  breafts  ?  which  now,  we  find, 
Each  putter-out  on  five  for  one  will  bring  us 
Good  warrant  of. 

Jlo.  I  will  ftand  to,  and  feed, 
Although  my  lalt ;  no  matter,  fince  I  feel 
The  belt  is  paft Brother,  my  lord  the  duke, 
Stand  to,  and  do  as  we. 

Thunder  and  Lightning.  Enter  Ariel, 
like  a  Harpy  :  claps  his  IVings  upon  the  Table ;  andy  with 
a  queint  Device,  the  Banquet  vanijhes. 

M  out  of  five 

D  4 


The  Tempejl. 


Ari.  You  are  three  men  of  fin,  whom  deftiny 
(That  hath  to  inftrument  thib  lower  world, 
And  what  is  in't)  the  never-fiirfeited  fea 
Hath  caused  to  belch  up  ;  and  on  this  ifland, 
Where  man  doth  not  inhabit,  you  'mongft  men 
Ueing  moll  unfit  to  live.  I  have  made  you  mad ; 

[jeezng  them  drcvvj* 
And  even  with  fuch  like  valour  men  hang  and  drown 
Their  proper  felves :  You  fools  !  I  and  my  fellows 
Are  minifters  of  fate  ;  the  elements 
Of  whom  your  fwords  are  temper'd  may  as  well 
Wound  the  loud  winds,  or  with  bemockt-at  ftabs 
Kill  the  ftill-closing  waters,  as  diminifh 
One  down  that's  in  my  plume  ;  my  fellow  minifters 
Are  like  invulnerable:  if  you  could  hurt, 
Your  fwords  are  now  too  maffy  for  your  ftrengths, 
And  will  not  be  uplifted:  But  remember 
(For  that's  my  businefs  to  you)  that  you  three 
From  Milan  did  fupplant  good  Pro/per o  ; 
Expos'd  unto  the  fea  (which  hath  requit  it) 
Him,  and  his  innocent  child :  for  which  foul  deed, 
The  powers  (delaying,  not  forgetting)  have 
IncenPd  the  feas  and  fhores,  yea,  all  the  creatures, 
Againft  your  peace  :  thee  of  thy  fon,  Alonso, 
They  have  bereft  ;  and  do  pronounce  by  me, 
Ling'ring  perdition  (worfe  than  any  death 
Can  be  at  once)  mall  ftep  by  ftep  attend 
You,  and  your  ways ;  whose  wraths  to  guard  you  from 
(Which  here,  in  this  moil  defolate  ifle,  elfe  falls 
Upon  your  heads)  is  nothing,  but  heart's  forrow, 
And  a  clear  life  enfuing. 

He  vanifoes  in  Thunder  :  Thtn9  to  joft  Musick, 

4  up  you  j    1  -s-  dowle  that's  in  my  plumbe 


The  Temteft. 


Enter  the  Shapes  again,  atid  dance,  ivith  Mocks 
and  Moes,  and  carry  out  the  Table. 

Pro.  ct  Bravely  the  figure  of  this  harpy  haft  thou" 
"Perform'd,  my  Ariel ;  a  grace  it  had,  devouring;" 
"Of  my  inftru&ion  haft  thou  nothing  'bated," 
"  In  what  thou  hadft  to  fay:  fo,  with  good  life," 
"And  observation  ftrange,  my  meaner  minifters" 
"  Their  feveral  kinds  have  done :  my  high  charms  work," 
"And  these,  mine  enemies,  are  all  knit  up" 
"  [n  their  diftraftions  j  they  now  are  in  my  power:" 
"  And  in  these  fits  I  leave  them,  while  I  visit" 
"Young  Ferdinand,  (whom  they  fuppose  is  drown'd)" 
"And  his  and  my  lov'd  darling."    [Exit, from  above. 

Gon.  V  the  name  of  fomething  holy,  fir,  why  ftand 
In  this  ftrange  ftare  ?  [vou 

Alo.  O,  it  is  monftrous,  monftrous ! 
Methought,  the  billows  fpoke,  and  told  me  of  it, 
The  winds  did  fing  it  to  me;  and  the  thunder, 
That  deep  and  dreadful  organ-pipe,  pronoune'd 
The  name  of  Pro/per;  it  did  bafe  my  trefpafs  : 
Therefore  my  fon  i'  the  ooze  is  bedded  ;  and 
I'll  feek  him  deeper  than  e'er  plummet  founded, 
And  with  him  there  lye  mudded.  [Exit. 

Seb.    But  one  fiend  at  a  time, 
I'll  fight  their  legions  o'er.  [Exit. 

Ant.  Til  be  thy  fecond.  [Exit. 

Gon.  Allthreeofthemaredefperate;  their  great  guilt, 
Like  poison,  given  to  work  a  great  time  after, 

Now  'gins  to  bite  the  fpirits  :  I  do  befeech  you, 

That  are  of  fuppler  joints,  follow  them  fwiftly  ; 
And  hinder  them  from  what  this  extafy 
May  now  provoke  them  to. 


13  mine  lov'd 


56  The  Tempejl. 

A  dr.  Follow,  I  pray  you. 


[Exeunt. 


ACT  IV. 

SCENE,   Before  Profpero's  Cell. 
Enter  Prospero,  Ferdinand,  and  Miranda. 

Pro.  If  I  have  too  aufterely  punifhM  you, 
Your  compenfation  makes  amends  ;  for  I 
Have  given  you  here  a  third  of  mine  own  life, 
Or  that  for  which  I  live ;  whom  once  again 
I  tender  to  thy  hand  :  all  thy  vexations 
Were  but  my  trials  of  thy  love,  and  thou 
Had  ftrangely  flood  the  teft  :  here,  afore  heaven, 
I  ratify  this  my  rich  gift :  O  Ferdinand, 
Do  not  fmile  at  me,  that  I  boaft  her  off ; 
For  thou  fhalt  find,  fhe  will  out-ftrip  all  praise, 
And  make  it  halt  behind  her. 

Fer.  I  do  believe  it 
Againft  an  oracle, 

Pro.  Then,  as  my  gift,  and  thine  own  acquisition 
Worthily  purchaPd,  take  my  daughter:  But 
Jf  thou  doft  break  her  virgin  knot,  before 
All  fandtimonious  ceremonies  may 
With  full  and  holy  rite  be  minifter'd, 
No  fweet  afperfion  fhall  the  heavens  let  fall 
To  make  this  contracl  grow ;  but  barren  hate, 
Sour-ey'd  difdain,  and  difcord,  fhall  beftrew 
The  union  of  your  bed  with  weeds  fo  loathly, 
That  you  fhall  hate  it  both  :  therefore  take  heed> 
As  Hymen's  lamps  mall  light  you. 

Fer.  As  I  hope 


21  my  gueft,  2nd 


The  Temp  eft. 


57 


For  quiet  days,  fair  ifiue,  and  long  life, 

With  fuch  love  as  is  now,  The  murkieft  den, 

The  moil  opportune  place,  the  ftrong'il  fuggeftiou 

Our  worfer  genius  can,  fhall  never  melt 

Mine  honour  into  luft  ;  to  take  away 

The  edge  of  that  day's  celebration, 

When  I  fhall  think,  or  Phoebus'  fteeds  are  founder'd, 

Or  night  kept  chain'd  below. 

Pro.  Fairly  fpoke  : 
Sit  then,  and  talk  with  her,  me  is  thine  own.__ 
"  What,  Ariel;  my  indunrious  fervant,  Ariel!" 
Enter  Ariel. 

Ari.  "  What  would  my  potent  mailer  ?  here  I  am 

Pro.  "Thou,  and  thy  meaner  fellows,  your  laft  fer- 
"  Did  worthily  perform  ;  and  I  mull:  use  you"  [vice" 
"  In  fuch  another  trick:  go,  bring  the  rabble," 
"  O'er  whom  I  give  thee  power,  here,  to  this  place  ; " 
"  Incite  them  to  quick  motion;  for  I  muft" 
"  Bellow  upon  the  eyes  of  this  young  couple  " 
"  Some  vanity  of  mine  art;  it  is  my  promise," 
"  And  they  expect  it  from  me. " 

Ari.  "  Presently  ? " 

Pro.  "  Ay,  with  a  twinck." 

Ari.  "  Before  you  can  fay,  Come,  and  go  ;" 
"  And  breath  twice;  and  cry,  So,  Jo 
6i  Each  one,  tripping  on  his  toe, " 
"  Will  be  here  with  mop  and  moe:" 
u  Do  you  love  me,  mailer?  no.  " 

Pro.  **  Dearly,  my  delicate  Ariel:  Do  not  approach," 
"  'Till  thou  doft  hear  me  call.  " 

Ari.  "  Well,  I  conceive."  [Exit  Ariel. 

Pro.  Look,  thou  be  true ;  do  not  give  dalliance 


%  as  'tis  now 


The  Te??ipeji. 


Too  much  the  rein  ;  the  ftrongeft  oaths  are  Itraw 
To  the  fire  i'  the  blood  :  be  more  abliemious, 
Or  elfe  good-night  your  vow. 

Fer.  I  warrant  you,  fir  ; 
The  white,  cold,  virgin  fnow  upon  my  heart 
Abates  the  ardor  of  my  liver. 

Pro.  Well.- 
u  Now  come,  my  Ariel ;  bring  a  corollary,  " 
*'  Rather  than  want  a  fpirit;  appear,  and  pertly."— 
No  tongue  ;  all  eyes  ;  be  filent.  [foft  Mustek. 

A  Mafque.  Enter  Iris. 
^  Iri.  Ceres y  mcft  bounteous  lady,  thy  rich  leas 

#  Of  wheat,  rye,  barley,  vetches,  oats,  and  pease; 

#  Thy  turfy  mountains,  where  live  nibling  lheep, 

#  And  flat  meads  thatch'd  with  ftdver,  them  to  keep  ; 

#  Thy  banks  with  pioned  and  tilled  brims, 

#  Which  fpungy  April  at  thy  heft  betrims,  [groves, 

#  To  make  cold  nymphs  chaft  crowns ;  and  thy  broom 
^  Whose  fliadow  the  difmiffed  batchelor  loves, 

m  Being  lafs-lorn ;  thy  pole -dipt  vineyard  ; 

#  And  thy  fea-marge,  fieri],  and  rocky-hard, 

#  Where  thou  thyfelf  doft  air  ;  The  queen  o'the  fky, 

#  Whose  watry  arch,  and  mefienger,  am  I, 

#  Bids  thee  leave  these;  and  with  her  fovereign  grace, 

#  Here  on  this  grafs-plot,  in  this  very  place, 

m  To  come  and  fport:  her  peacocks  fly  amain ; 

#  Approach,  rich  Ceres,  her  to  entertain. 

Enter  Ceres. 
^  Cer.  Hail,  many-colour'd  mefienger,  that  ne'er 

#  Doft  difobey  the  wife  of  Jupiter  ; 

m  Who,  with  thy  faffron  wings,  upon  my  flowers 

#  DifFuseft  honey-drops,  refrefhing  ftiowers; 


»«  twilled 


The  Tempeft. 


%  And  with  each  end  of  thy  blue  bow  doft  crown 

#  My  bofky  acres,  and  my  unfhrub'd  down, 

%  Rich  fcarf  to  my  proud  earth ;  Why  hath  thy  queen 
m  Summon'd  me  hither  to  this  fhort-graff'd  green? 
m  In i.  A  contraft  of  true  love  to  celebrate  ; 
9  And  fome  donation  freely  to  eftate 

#  On  the  blelt  lovers. 

#  Cer.  Tell  me,  heavenly  bow, 

#  If  Venus ,  or  her  fon,  as  thou  doft  know, 

#  Do  now  attend  the  queen  ?  fince  they  did  plot 

#  The  means  that  dufky  Dis  my  daughter  got, 

#  Her  and  her  blind  boy's  fcandal'd  company 

#  I  have  fore-fworn. 
«  Iri .  Of  her  fociety 

#  Be  not  afraid :  I  met  her  deity 

#  Cutting  the  clouds  towards  Paphos  ;  and  her  fon 

#  Dove-drawn  with  her  :  here  thought  they  to  have  done 

#  Some  wanton  charm  upon  this  man  and  maid, 

#  Whose  vows  are,  that  no  bed-right  (hall  be  pay'd 

#  'Till  Hymens  torch  be  lighted  :  but  in  vain  ; 

#  Mars'*  hot  minion  is  return'd  again  ; 

«  Her  wafpifh-headed  fon  has  broke  his  arrows, 

#  Swears  he  will  (hoot  no  more,  but  play  with  fparrows, 

#  And  be  a  boy  right-out. 

#  Cer.  High'ft  queen  of  ftate, 

#  Great  Juno,  comes  ;  I  know  her  by  her  gait. 

Enter  Juno. 

#  Jun.  How  does  my  bounteous  filler?  Go  with  me, 

#  To  blefs  this  twain  ;  that  they  may  profp'rous  be, 
m  And  honour'd  in  their  i(Tue. 

SONG. 

ft  JtrN.  Honour,  rkhes%  marriage-blejjing^ 


6o 


The  Tempejl. 


#  long  continuance,  and  encrcajt?igy 
m  hourly  joys  be  jlill  upon  you  / 

#  Juno  fags  her  blefings  on  you. 

#  CTer*    Earth'1  s  encreafe,  and  foizon  plenty  ; 

#  barns,  and  garners,  never  empty  ; 

#  wines,  with  chef  ring  bu7iches  growing ; 

#  plants,  with  goodly  burthen  bowing ; 
^  Spring  come  to  you,  at  the  fartheji> 

#  in  the  very  end  of  harueji  I 

#  fear  city,  and  want,  /hall  Jhun  you  ; 

#  Ceres'  blefjing  fo  is  on  you. 

Fer.  This  is  a  mofi  majeftic  vision,  and 
Harmonious-charming  lay :  May  I  be  bold 
To  think  these  fpirits  ? 

Pro,  Spirits,  which  by  mine  art 
I  have  from  their  confines  call'd  to  enact 
My  present  fancies. 

Fer.  Let  me  live  here  ever  ; 
So  rare  a  wonder'd  father,  and  a  wife, 
Makes  this  place  paradife. 
Juno  and  Ceres  whijper,  and  fend  Iris  on  Employment. 

Pro.  Now,  filence,  fweet ! 
Juno,  and  Ceres,  whifper  ferioufly ; 
There's  fomething  elfe  to  do :  hum,  and  be  mute, 
Or  elfe  our  fpell  is  rnar'd.  [brooks, 

#  Iri.  You  nymphs,  calPd  Nay  ads  9  of  the  wind'ring 

#  With  your  fedg'd  crowns,  and  ever-harmlefs  looks, 
^  Leave  your  crifp  channels,  and  on  this  green-land 

#  Anfwer  your  fummons  ;  Juno  does  command  : 

#  Come,  temperate  nymphs,  and  help  to  celebrate 

#  A  contract  of  true  love ;  be  not  too  late. 

Enter  certain  Nymphs, 


'3  charmingly  :    *a  Sweet  now,  filence  : 


The  Tempeji. 


61 


#  You  fun-burnt  ficklemen  of  Auguft  weary, 

#  Come  hither  from  the  furrow,  and  be  merry ; 
#'Make  holiday  :  your  rye-ftraw  hats  put  on, 

#  And  these  frefti  nymphs  encounter  every  one 
%  In  country  footing. 

Enter  certain  Reapers properly  habited : 
they  join  with  the  Nymphs  in  a  graceful  Dance  ;  towards 
the  End  whereof  Profpero  farts  /uddenly,  and  /peaks  ; 
after  which,  to  a  //range,  hollow,  and  confused  Noise, 
they  heavily  <vani/h. 
Pro.  "  I  had  forgot  that  foul  confpiracy" 
"  Of  the  beafl  Caliban,  and  his  confederates, 99 
*'  AgainA:  my  life  ;  the  minute  of  their  plot  99 
"  Is  almoft  come  :"__Well  done  ;  avoid ;  no  more,  [fion, 
Fer.  This  is  moft  ftrange :  your  father's  in  fome  paf- 
That  works  him  ftrongly. 

Mir*  Never  'till  this  day 
Saw  I  him  touch'd  with  anger  fo  diftemper'd. 

Pro,   You  do  look,  my  fon,  in  a  mov'd  fort, 
As  if  you  were  difmay'd  :  be  cheerful,  fir. 
Our  revels  now  are  ended  :  these  our  adtors, 
As  I  fore-told  you,  were  all  fpirits  ;  and 
Are  melted  into  air,  into  thin  air : 
And,  like  the  bafelefs  fabrick  of  this  vision, 
The  cloud-capt  towers,  the  gorgeous  palaces, 
The  folemn  temples,  the  great  globe  itfelf, 
Yea,  all,  which  it  inherit,  fhall  dissolve; 
And,  like  this  infubftantial  pageant  faded, 
Leave  not  a  rack  behind :  We  are  fuch  fluff 
As  dreams  are  made  on  ;  and  our  little  life 
Is  rounded  with  a  fleep.  Sir,  I  am  vext  ; 
Bear  with  my  weaknefs ;  my  old  brain  is  troubPd : 


02 


The  Tempejt. 


Be  not  difrurb'd  with  my  infirmity  : 
If  you  be  pleas?d,  retire  into  my  cell, 
And  there  repose  ;  a  turn  or  two  I'll  walk, 
To  flill  my  beating  mind. 

Fer.  Mir.  We  wifh  your  peace.  [Exeunt. 

Pro.  Come  with  a  thought,—.!  thank  ye— Ariel,  come. 
Enter  Ariel. 

Art.  Thy  thoughts  I  cleave  to :  What's  thy  pleasure  ? 

Pro.  Spirit, 
We  muft  prepare  to  meet  with  Caliban. 

Ari.  Ay,  my  commander:  when  1  presented  Ceres, 
I  thought  to  have  told  thee  of  it ;  but  I  fear'd 
Left  I  might  anger  thee.  [varlets? 

Pro.  £3HeII;  fay  again,  where  didft  thou  leave  these 

Ari.  I  told  you,  fir,  they  were  red-hot  with  drinking: 
So  full  of  valour,  that  they  fmote  the  air 
For  breathing  in  their  faces ;  beat  the  ground 
For  killing  of  their  feet :  yet  always  bending 
Towards  their  project  :  Then  I  beat  my  tabor  ; 
At  which,  like  unbackt  colts,  they  prick'd  their  ears, 
Advanc'd  their  eye-lids,  lifted  up  their  noses 
As  they  fmelt  musick;  fo  I  charm'd  their  ears, 
That,  calf-like,  they  my  lowing  followed,  through 
Tooth'd  briars,  fharp  furzes,  pricking  gofs,  and  thorns, 
Which  enter'd  their  frail  fliins  :  at  laft  I  left  them 
Fthe  filthy  mantPd  pool  beyond  your  cell, 
There  dancing  up  to  the  chins,  that  the  foul  lake 
O'er-flunk  their  feet. 

Pro.  This  was  well  done,  my  bird  : 
Thy  fhape  invisible  retain  thou  ftill : 
The  trumpery  in  my  houfe,  go,  bring  it  hither, 
For  ftale  to  catch  these  thieves. 


6  thank  thee 


The  Tempeft. 


Ari.  I  go,  T  go.  [Exit. 

Pro.  A  devil,  a  born  devil,  on  whose  nature 
Nurture  can  never  ftick  ;.  on  whom  my  pains, 
Humanely  taken,  all,  all  loft,  quite  loft  ; 
And  as,  with  age,  his  body  uglier  grows, 
So  his  mind  cankers :  I  will  plague  them  all, 

Re-enter  Ariel,  loaden  with  gliff  ring  Apparel,  &c. 

Even  to  roaring  :  Come,  hang  them  on  this  line. 

Profpero,  and  Ariel,  invisible.  Enter  Caliban, 

Stephako,  WTrinculo,  all  wet.  [not 

Cal.  Pray  you,  tread  foftly,  that  the  blind  mole  may 
Hear  a  foot  fall :  we  now  are  near  his  cell. 

Ste.  Monfter,  your  fairy,  which,  you  fay,  is  a  harm- 
lefs  fairy,  has  done  little  better  than  play'd  the  Jack 
with  us. 

Tiu.  Monfter,  T  do  fmell  all  horfe-pifs  ;  at  which 
my  nose  is  in  great  indignation. 

Ste  .  So  is  mine.  Do  you  hear,  monfter;  If  I  mould 
take  a  difpleasure  againft  you,  look  you, — 

Tri.  thou  wert  but  a  loft  monfter. 

Cal.  Good  gooU  my  lord,  give  me  thy  favour  ftill : 
Be  patient,  for  the  prize  I'll  bring  thee  to  ly  ;— 

Shall  hood- wink  this  mifchance  :  therefore,  fpeak  foft- 
All's  hufnt  as  midnight  yet. 

T ri.  Ay,  but  to  lose  our  bottles  in  the  pool,  — 

Ste.  There  is  not  only  difgrace  and  difhonour  in 
that,  monfter,  but  an  infinite  lofs. 

Tri.  That's  more  to  me  than  my  wetting:  Yet  this 
is  your  harmlefs  fairy,  monfter. 

Ste.  I  will  fetch  off  my  bottle,  though  I  "be  o'er  ears 
for  my  labour. 

Cal  .  Pr'ythee,  my  king,  be  quiet :  See'ft  thou  here, 


Vol.  I. 


s  on  them 


E 


64 


The  Temptjl. 


This  is  the  mouth  o'  the  cell ;  no  noise,  and  enter: 
Do  that  good  mifchief,  which  may  make  this  ifland 
Thine  own  for  ever  ;  and  I,  thy  Caliban, 
For  aye  thy  foct-licker. 

Ste.  Give  me  thy  hand:  I  do  begin  to  have  bloody 
thoughts. 

Tri.  O  king  Stephana!  O  peer!  O  worthy  Stepbano! 
look,  what  a  wardrobe  here  is  for  thee ! 

Cjl.  Let  it  alone,  thou  fool  ;  it  is  but  trafti. 

T ri.  Oh  ho,  monfter  ;  we  know  what  belongs  to  a 
frippery  :  —  O  king  Stepbano  ! 

Ste.  Put  oft  that  gown,  Trincu/o;  by  this  hand,  I'll 
have  that  gown. 

T r i.  Thy  grace  (hall  have  it. 

Cal  .  The  dropfy  drown  this  fool !  what  do  you  mean? 
To  doat  thus  on  fuch  luggage  ?  Let's  along, 
And  do  the  murther  firft :  if  he  awake, 
From  toe  to  crown  he'll  fill  our  fkins  with  pinches ; 
Make  us  ftrange  fluff. 

Ste.  Be  you  quiet,  monfter.  Miftrefs  line,  is  not 
this  my  jerkin  ?  Now  is  the  jerkin  under  the  line  : 
Now,  jerkin,  you  are  like  to  lose  your  hair,  and  prove 
a  bald  jerkin. 

Tri.  Do,  do  ;  We  fteal  by  line  and  level,  an't  like 
your  grace. 

Ste.  I  thank  thee  for  that  jeft  ;  here's  =f=  a  garment 
for't:  wit  ihail  not  go  unrewarded,  while  I  am  king  of 
this  country :  Steal  by  line  and  le<vel,  is  an  excellent  pafs 
of  pate;  there's  another^  garment  for't, 

Tri.  Monfter,  come,  put  fome  lime  upon  your  fin- 
gers, and  away  with  the  reft. 

Cjit.  I  will  have  none  on't  :  we  (hall  lose  our  time,* 


16  let's  alone 


The  Tempeft. 


6j 


And  all  be  turn'd  to  barnacles,  or  to  apes, 
With  foreheads  villainous  low 

Ste.  Monfler,  lay  to  your  fingers;  help  to  bear  this 
away,  where  my  hogfhead  of  wine  is,  or  I'll  turn  you 
out  of  my  kingdom  :  go  to,  carry  this. 

T ri.   And  this. 

Ste.  Ay,  and  this.  [helping  Garments  on  him. 

A  Noise  of  Hunters  heard.  Enter  divers  Spirits, 
in  Shape  of  Dogs,  and  Hounds,  and  hunt  them  about ; 

Profpero,  and  Ariel,  Jetting  them  on. 
Pro.  Hey,  Mountain,  hey! 
Ari.  Silver!  there  it  goes,  Silver / 
Pro.  Fury,  Fury!  there,  Tyrant,  there!  hark,  hark! 
[Cal.  Ste.  WTri.  are  driven  out  roaring. 
Go,  charge  my  goblins  that  they  grind  their  joints 
With  dry  convulfions  ;  fhorten  up  their  finews 
With  aged  cramps ;  and  more  pinch-fpotted  make  them, 
Than  pard,  or  cat-o'mountain. 
Ari.  Hark,  they  roar. 

Pro.  Let  them  be  hunted  foundly.  At  this  hour 
Lye  at  my  mercy  all  mine  enemies : 
Shortly  mail  all  my  labours  end,  and  thou 
Shalt  have  the  air  at  freedom ;  for  a  little, 
Follow,  and  do  me  fervice.  [Exeunt. 


Acr  v. 

SCENE,  the  fame. 
Enter  Prospero,  and  Ariel. 

Pro.  Now  does  my  projeft  gather  to  a  head  : 
My  charms  crack  not ;  my  fpirits  obey ;  and  time 

*»  Lies  at 

E  2 


7'he  Tempefi. 


Goes  upright  with  his  carriage.  How's  the  day  ? 

Ari.  On  the  fixth  hoar;  at  which  time,  my  lord* 
You  faid  our  work  mould  ceafe. 

Pro.  I  did  fay  fo, 
When  firll  I  rais'd  the  temper!;.  Say,  my  fpirit^ 
How  fares  the  king,  and  his  followers  ? 

Arj.  ConnVd  together 
In  the  fame  fafhion  as  you  gave  in  charge  ; 
Juft  as  you  left  them ;  all  pour  prisoners,  rlr, 
In  the  lime-grove  which  weather-fends  your  cell ; 
They  cannot  budge,  'till  your  releafe  :  The  king, 
His  brother,  and  yours,  abide  all  three  diftracled  ; 
And  the  remainder  mourning  over  them, 
Brim-full  of  forrow,  and  difmay  :  but  chiefly 
Him  that  you  term'd,  lir,  The  good  old  lord,  Gonzalo; 
His  tears  run  down  his  beard,  like  winter  drops 
From  eaves  of  reeds :  your  charm  fo  ftrongly  works  'em* 
That,  if  you  now  beheld  them,  your  affections 
Would  become  tender. 

Pro.  Doft  thou  think  fo,  fpirit  ? 

Ari.  Mine  would,  fir,  were  I  human. 

Pro.  And  mine  mail. 
Haft  thou,  which  art  but  air,  a  touch,  a  feeling 
Of  their  afflictions  ?  and  mall  not  myfelf, 
One  of  their  kind,  that  relifh  all  as  fharply, 
Paffion  as  they,  be  kindlier  mov'd  than  thou  art? 
Though  with  their  high  wrongs  I  am  itrook  to  the  quick, 
Yet,  with  my  nobler  reason,  'ga'inft  my  fury 
Do  I  take  part :  the  rarer  action  is 
In  virtue,  than  in  vengeance:  they  being  penitent, 
The  fole  drift  of  my  purpose,  inrati)  doth  end  ; 
Not  a  frown  further:  Go,  releafe  them,  Ariel; 


10  Line -grove    '6  winters    3*  doth  extend 


The  Tempeft. 


67 


My  charms  I'll  break,  their  fenfes  Til  reftore, 
And  they  fhall  be  themfelves. 

Ari.  I'll  fetch  them,  fir.  [Exit. 

Pro.  Ye  elves  of  hills,  brooks,  landing  lakes,  and 
And  ye,  that  on  the  fands  with  printlefs  foot  [groves; 
Do  chafe  the  ebbing  Neptune*  and  do  fly  him 
When  he  comes  back  ;  you  demi-puppets,  that 
By  moon-fnine  do  the  green  four  ringlets  make, 
Whereof  the  ewe  not  bites  ;  and  you,  whose  paftime 
Is  to  make  midnight  mufhrooms;  that  rejoice 
To  hear  the  folemn  curfeu  ;  by  whose  aid 
(Weak  matters  though  ye  be)  I  have  bedim'd 
The  noon-tide  fun,  call'd  forth  the  mutinous  winds, 
And  'twixt  the  green  fea  and  the  azur'd  vault 
Set  roaring  war :  to  the  dread  rattling  thunder 
Have  I  given  fire,  and  rifted  Jove's  ftout  oak 
With  his  own  bolt :  the  ilrong-baPd  promontory 
Have  I  made  make  ;  and  by  the  fpurs  pluck'd  up 
The  pine,  and  cedar:  graves,  at  my  command, 
Have  wak'd  their  lleepers  ;  op'd,  and  let  them  forth. 
By  my  fo  potent  art :  But  this  rough  magick 
1  here  abjure  :  and,  when  I  have  requir'd 
Some  heavenly  musick,  (which  even  now  I  do) 
To  work  mine  end  upon  their  fenfes  that 
This  airy  charm  is  for,  Til  break  my  ltaff, 
Bury  it  certain  fathoms  in  the  earth, 
And  deeper  than  did  ever  plummet  found 
I'll  drown  my  book.  [folemn  Musick. 

Re-enter  Ariel  :  after  hi?n, 
A  L  o  n  s  o ,  with  afrantick  Gefure,  attended  ^Gonzalo; 
Sebastian,  and  Antonio,  in  like  Manner •,  attended  by 
Adrian,  and  Francifco  ;  They  all  enter  the  Circle  which 


6g 


The  Tempeft. 


Profpero  had  made-,  and  there  ft  and  charnid ;  which 
Profpero  observing,  /peaks. 
A  folemn  air,  the  belt  comforter 
To  an  unfettl'd  fancy,  cure  thy  brains, 
Now  ufelefs,  boil'd  within  thy  fkull !  there  ftand, 
For  you  are  fpell-ftopt — 
Holy  Gonzalo,  honourable  man, 
Mine  eyes,  even  fociable  to  the  fhew  of  thine, 
Fall  fellow  drops — The  charm  dissolves  apace; 
And  as  the  morning  fteals  upon  the  night, 
Melting  the  darknels,  fo  their  rising  fenfes 
Begin  to  chafe  the  ignorant  fumes  that  mantle 
Their  clearer  reason.  _0  good  Gonza/o, 
My  true  preserver,  and  a  loyal  fir 
To  him  thou  follow'ft  ;  I  will  pay  thy  graces 
Home,  both  in  word  and  deed.  —  Moft  cruelly 
Didft  thou,  Jlonso,  use  me  and  my  daughter  : 
Thy  brother  was  a  furthered  in  the  ad ;  _ 
Thou  art  pinch'd  for't  now,  Sebaftian.— Flefh  and  blood, 
You,  brother  mine;  that  entertain'd  ambition, 
Expeird  remorfe,  and  nature  ;  who,  with  Sebaftian, 
(Whose  inward  pinches  therefore  are  moft  ftrong) 
Would  here  have  kilPd  your  king  ;  1  do  forgive  thee, 
Unnatural  though  thou  art.— .Their  underftanding 
Begins  to  fwell ;  and  the  approaching  tide 
Will  fhortly  fill  the  reasonable  fhore, 
That  now  lies  foul  and  muddy.  Not  one  of  them, 
That  yet  looks  on  me,  or  would  know  me:  —  Ariel, 
Fetch  me  the  hat  and  rapier  in  my  cell ;  — 

[Exit  Arie^. 

I  will  difcafe  me,  and  myfelf  present 

As  I  was  fometime  Milan  :  —  quickly,  fpirit ; 

3  Ayre,  and  the  5  boile   9  fellowly  drops    z7  ]y  foule 


the  Tempcft. 

Thou  (halt  ere  long  be  free. 

Re-enter  Ari£L. 
Ari.   Where  the  beejncks,  there  fuck  I ; 
in  a  co-joflip*s  bell  I  lye> 
there  I  couch :  tvbem  owls  do  cry, 
on  the  bafs  back  1  do  fly 
after  fummer,  merrily  : 
Merrily,  ?nerrily,  ft  all  I  live  non.v, 
under  the  blojfom  that  hangs  on  the  bough, 

[helps  to  attire  Profpero* 
Pro.  Why,  that's  my  dainty  Ariel:  I  (hall  mifs  thee; 
But  yet  thou  (halt  have  freedom  :  So,  fo,  fo. 
To  the  king's  {hip,  invisible  as  thou  art: 
There  malt  thou  find  the  mariners  afleep 
Under  the  hatches ;  the  mailer,  and  the  boatfwain, 
Being  awake,  enforce  them  to  this  place, 
And  presently,  I  pr'ythee. 

Ari.  I  drink  the  air  before  me,  and  return 
Or  ere  your  pulfe  twice  beat.  [Exit  Ariel. 

Gon.  All  torment,  trouble,  wonder,  and  amazemenc 
Inhabits  here;  Some  heavenly  power  guide  us 
Out  of  this  fearful  country  ! 

Pro.  Behold,  fir  king, 
The  wronged  duke  of  Milan,  Profpero  : 
For  more  affurance  that  a  living  prince 
Does  now  fpeak  to  thee,  I  embrace  thy  body ; 
And  to  thee,  and  thy  company,  I  bid 
A  hearty  welcome. 

Alo.  Whe'r  thou  be'ft  he,  or  no, 
Or  fome  enchanted  trifle  to  abuse  me, 
As  late  I  have  been,  I  not  know  :  thy  pulfe 
Beats,  as  of  flefh  and  blood ;  and,  fince  I  faw  thee, 

5  v,  Note, 


69 

SOXG. 


70 


The  Tempefl. 


The  affiidion  of  my  mind  amends,  with  which, 

I  fear,  a  madnefs  held  me  :  this  mud  crave 

(An  if  this  be  at  all)  a  moil  ftrange  ftory. 

Thy  dukedom  I  resign  ;  and  do  entreat, 

Thou  pardon  me  my  wrongs: — But  how  mould  Profpero 

Be  living,  and  be  here  ? 

Pro.  Firft,  noble  friend, 
Let  me  embrace  thine  age ;  whose  honour  cannot 
Be  measur'd,  or  confin'd. 

Gon.  Whether  this  be, 
Or  be  not,  I'll  not  fwear. 

Pro.  You  do  yet  tafte 
Some  fubtleties  oJ  the  ifle,  that  will  not  let  you 

Believe  things  certain  :  Welcome,  my  friends  all  :  

"  But  you,  my  brace  of  lords,  were  I  lb  minded," 
"  I  here  could  pluck  his  highnefs'  frown  upon  you, 99 
"  And  juftify  you  traitors  ;  at  this  time" 
"Til  tell  no  tales." 

Seb.  "The  devil  fpeaks  in  him."  [to  Ant. 

Pro.  "No."— 
For  you,  moft  wicked  fir,  whom  to  call  brother 
Would  even  infedt  my  mouth,  I  do  forgive 
Thy  rankeft  fault;  all  of  them  ;  and  require 
My  dukedom  of  thee,  which,  perforce,  I  know, 
Thou  muft  reftore. 

Alo.  If  thou  be'ft  Pro/per o> 
Give  us  particulars  of  thy  preservation  : 
How  thou  haft  met  us  here,  who  three  hours  fince 
Were  wreck'd  upon  this  fhore ;  where  I  have  loft 
(How  (harp  the  point  of  this  remembrance  is  !) 
My  dear  fon  Ferdinand. 

Pro.  I  am  woe  for't,  fir. 


The  Tempeft. 


7' 


Alo.  Irreparable  is  the  lofs ;  and  patience 
Says,  it  is  pall  her  cure. 

Pro.  I  rather  think, 
You  have  not  fought  her  help  ;  of  whose  foft  grace, 
For  the  like  lofs,  I  have  her  fovereign  aid, 
And  reft  myfelf  content. 

Alo.  You  the  like  lofs  ? 

Pro.  As  great  to  me,  as  late,  ixt :  and  fupportable 
To  make  the  dear  lofs,  have  I  means  much  weaker 
Than  you  may  call  to  comfort  you  ;  for  I 
Have  loft  my  daughter. 

Alo.  Daughter? 
O  heavens!  that  they  were  living  both  in  Naples, 
The  king  and  queen  there  !  that  they  were,  i  wifh 
Myfelf  were  mudded  in  that  oozy  bed 
Where  my  fon  lies.  When  did  you  lose  your  daughter  } 

Pro.  In  this  laft  tempeft.  I  perceive,  these  lords 
At  this  encounter  do  fo  much  admire, 
That  they  devour  their  reason  ;  and  fcarce  think, 
Their  eyes  do  offices  of  truth;  these  words 
Are  natural  breath  :  but,  howfoe'er  you  have 
Been  juftl'd  from  your  fenfes,  know  for  certain 
That  I  am  Pro/per o,  and  that  very  duke 
Which  was  thruft  forth  of  Milan ;  who  moft  ftrangely 
Upon  this  Ihore,  where  you  were  wreckt,  was  landed, 
To  be  the  lord  on't.  No  more  yet  of  this ; 
For  'tis  a  chronicle  of  day  by  day, 
Not  a  relation  for  a  breakfall,  nor 
Befitting  this  firft  meeting:  Welcome,  fir; 
This  cell's  my  court :  here  have  I  few  attendants, 
And  fubje&s  none  abroad  :  pray  you,  look  in : 
My  dukedom  fince  you  have  given  me  again* 


,x  A  daughter?    *®  Their  words 


7* 


The  Tempejf. 


I  will  requite  yon  with  as  good  a  thing; 

At  leaft,  bring  forth  a  wonder,  to  content  you 

As  much,  as  me  my  dukedom. 

Cell  opens  ;  and  dij  covers  Ferdinand,  and 
Miranda,  playing  at  Chefs. 

Mir  .  Sweet  lord,  you  play  me  falfe. 

Fer.  No,  my  dear'ft  love, 
I  would  not  for  the  world.  [g'e» 

Mir.  Yes,  for  a  fcore  of  kingdoms  you  mould  wran- 
And  I  would  call  it  fair  play. 

Alo.  If  this  prove 
A  vision  of  the  ifland,  one  dear  fon 
Shall  I  twice  lose. 

Seb.  A  moft  high  miracle! 

Fer.  Though  the  feas  threaten,  they  are  merciful; 
I  have  curf'd  them  without  cause. 

[running  to  Alonso,  and  kneeling* 

Alo.  Now  all  the  bleflings 
Of  a  glad  father  compafs  thee  about ! 
Arise,  and  fay  how  thou  cam'ft  here. 

Mir.  O  wonder ! 
How  many  goodly  creatures  are  there  here  ! 
How  beauteous  mankind  is !  O  brave  new  world, 
That  has  fuch  people  in't ! 

Pro.  'Tis  new  to  thee.  [plav? 

Alo.  What  is  this  maid,  with  whom  thou  waft  at 
Your  eld'ft  acquaintance  cannot  be  three  hours ; 
Is  me  the  goddefs  that  hath  fever'd  us, 
And  brought  us  thus  together  ? 

Fer.  Sir,  (he  is  mortal  ; 
But,  by  immortal  providence,  (he's  mine  : 
I  chose  her,  when  t  could  not  aik  my  father 


The  Tetnptft. 


73 


For  his  advice  ;  nor  thought  I  had  one:  me 
Is  daughter  to  this  famous  duke  of  Milan, 
Of  whom  fo  often  I  have  heard  renown, 
But  never  faw  before  ;  of  whom  I  have 
Receiv'd  a  fecond  life,  and  fecond  father 
This  lady  makes  him  to  me. 

Alo.  I  am  her's : 
But,  o,  how  oddly  will  it  found,  that  I 
Muft  afk  my  child  forgivenefs  ? 

Pro.  There,  fir,  flop  ; 
Let  us  not  burthen  our  remembrance  with 
A  heavinefs  that's  gone. 

Gon.  I  have  inly  wept, 
Or  mould  have  fpoke  ere  this !  Look  down,  you  gods, 
And  on  this  couple  drop  a  bleffed  crown ; 
For  it  is  you,  that  have  chalk'd  forth  the  way 
Which  brought  us  hither! 

Alo.  I  fay,  amen,  Gonza/o. 

Gon.  Was  Milan  thruft  from  Milan,  that  his  ifluc 
Should  become  kings  of  Naples  P  O,  rejoice 
Beyond  a  common  joy;  and  fet  it  down 
With  gold,  on  lanung  pillars  :  In  one  voyage 
Did  Claribel  her  husband  find  at  T unis  ; 
And  Ferdinand,  her  brother,  found  a  wife, 
Where  he  himfelf  was  loft  ;  Pr offer o  his  dukedom, 
In  a  poor  ifle ;  and  all  of  us  ourfelves, 
When  no  man  was  his  own. 

Alo.  Give  me  your  hands  :  [to  Fer.  and  Mir. 

Let  grief  and  forrow  ftil!  embrace  his  heart, 
That  doth  not  wifh  you  joy  ! 

Gon.  Be  it  fo  !  amen  I 

Re-enter  Ariel;  with  the  Majler,  and  Boatfiwain9 
11  remembrances, 


74 


The  Temptjt. 


amazedly  following. 

0  look,  fir,  look,  fir,  here  is  more  of  us  : 

1  prophefy'd,  if  a  gallows  were  on  land, 

This  fellow  could  not  drown  :__Now,  blafphemy, 
That  fwear'ft  grace  o'er-board,  not  an  oath  on  more  ? 
Haft  thou  no  mouth  by  land  ?  What  is  the  news  ? 

Boa.  The  beft  news  is,  that  we  have  fafely  found 
Our  king,  and  company:  the  next,  our  (hip,— 
Which,  but  three  glaftes  fince,  we  gave  out  fplit, — 
Is  tight,  and  yare,  and  bravely  rig'd,  as  when 
We  firft  put  out  to  fea 

Ari.  "  Sir,  all  this  fervice  99 
u  Have  I  done  fince  I  went. " 

Pro.  "My  trickfey  fpirit!  " 

Alo.  These  are  not  natural  events;  they  ftrengthen, 
From  ftrange  to  ftranger  :__Say,  how  came  you  hither? 

Boa.  If  I  did  think,  fir,  I  were  well  awake, 
I'd  ftrive  to  tell  you.  We  were  dead  afleep, 
And  (how,  we  know  not)  all  clapt  under  hatches  : 
V/here,  but  even  now,  with  ftrange  and  feveral  noises, 
Of  roaring,  fhrieking,  howling,  jingling  chains, 
And  more  diverfity  of  founds,  all  horrible, 
We  were  awak'd  ;  ftraightway,  at  liberty  : 
Where  we,  in  all  her  trim,  frefhly  beheld 
Our  royal,  good,  and  gallant  fhip ;  our  matter 
Cap'ring  to  eye  her  :  On  a  trice,  fo  please  you, 
Even  in  a  dream,  were  we  divided  from  them, 
And  were  brought  moping  hither. 

Ari.  "  Was't  well  done  ?  " 

Pro.  "  Bravely,  my  diligence  :  thou  (halt  be  free." 
Alo.  This  is  as  ftrange  a  maze  as  e'er  men  trod  ; 
And  there  is  in  this  businefs  more  than  nature 


18  dtid  cf  flsepe         all  our  trim 


The  Tempefi. 


7S 


Was  ever  con  daft  of:  fome  oracle 
Muft  rectify  oar  knowledge. 

Pro.  Sir,  my  liege, 
Do  not  infeft  your  mind  with  beating  on 
The  ftrangenefs  of  this  businefs ;  at  pickt  leisure, 
Which  mail  be  mortly,  fingle  I'll  resolve  you 
(Which  to  you  fhall  feem  probable)  of  every 
These  happen'd  accidents :  'till  when,  be  chearful  ; 
And  think  of  each  thing  well.  —  "Come  hither,  fpirit 
"  Set  Caliban,  and  his  companions,  free  ;v  [fir? 
"  Unty  the  fpell."  [Exit  Ari.]  How  fares  my  gracious 
There  are  yet  miffing  of  your  company 
Some  few  odd  lads,  that  you  remember  not. 
Re-enter  Ariel,  driving  in  Caliban,  Stephano, 
and  Trinculo,  in  their  Jloln  Apparel. 

Ste.  Every  man  fhift  for  all  the  red,  and  let  no  man 

take  care  for  himfelf ;  for  all  is  but  fortune  :  Coragic, 

bully  monfter,  Coragio  ! 

Tri.  If  these  be  true  fpies  which  I  wear  in  my  head, 
here's  a  goodly  fight. 

Cal.  O  Setebos,  these  be- brave  fpirits,  indeed! 
How  fine  my  mailer  is !  I  am  afraid, 
He  will  chaftise  me. 

Seb  .  Ha,  ha ;  What  things  are  these,  my  lord  Antonio? 
Will  money  buy  them  ? 

J  NT.  Very  like  ;  one  of  them 
Is  a  plain  fifh,  and,  no  doubt,  marketable. 

Pro.  Mark  but  the  badges  of  these  men,  my  lords, 
Then  fay,  if  they  be  true:__This  mif-fhapen  knave,— 
His  mother  was  a  witch  ;  and  one  fo  ftrorig 
That  could  controul  the  moon,  make  flows  and  ebbs, 
And  deal  in  her  command  without  her  power: 


76 


The  Tempefi. 


These  three  have  rob'd  me ;  and  this  demi-devil 
(For  he's  a  baftard  one)  had  plotted  with  them 
To  take  my  life  :  two  of  these  fellows  you 
Muft  know,  and  own ;  this  thing  of  darknefs  I 
Acknowledge  mine. 

Cal.  I  mall  be  pinch'd  to  death. 

Alo.  Is  not  this  Stephana,  my  drunken  butler? 

Seb.  He  is  drunk  now;  Where  had  he  wine? 

Al  o .  And  Trinculo  is  reeling  ripe ;  Where  ihould  they 

Find  this  grand  'lixir  that  hath  gilded  them  ?  

How  cam'ft  thou  in  this  pickle  ? 

Tri.  I  have  been  in  fuch  a  pickle  fince  I  faw  you  laft, 
that,  I  fear  me,  will  never  out  of  my  bones :  I  mall  not 
fear  fly-blowing. 

Seb.  Why,  how  now,  Stephano? 

Ste.  O,  touch  me  not;  lam  not  Stephana,  but  a  cramp. 

Pro.  You'd  be  king  o'the  iile,  firrah  ? 

Ste.  I  ihould  have  been  a  fore  one  then. 

Alo.  This  is  as  ftrange  a  thing  as  e'er  I  look'd  on. 

Pro.  He  is  as  difproportion'd  in  his  manners, 
As  in  his  mape  :  —  Go,  firrah,  to  my  cell ; 
Take  with  you  your  companions ;  as  you  look 
To  have  my  pardon,  trim  it  handfomely. 

Cal.  Ay,  that  I  will ;  and  I'll  be  wise  hereafter, 
And  feek  for  grace  :  What  a  thrice-double  afs 
Was  I,  to  take  this  ~|~  drunkard  for  a  god ; 
And  vvorlhip  this  *|"  dull  fool  ? 

Pro.  Go  to,  away.  [found  it. 

Alo.  Hence,  and  beftow  your  luggage  where  you 

Seb.  Or  Hole  it,  rather. 

[Exeunt  Cal.  Ste.  ana7  Tri. 

Pro.  Sir,  I  invite  your  highnefs,  and  your  train, 


10  grand  Liquor    l9  a  ftrangc 


Tie  Tempejl. 


71 


To  my  poor  cell  :  where  you  fliall  take  your  reft 
For  this  one  night ;  which  (part  of  it)  I'll  wafte 
With  fuch  difcourfe,  as,  I  not  doubt,  fliall  make  it 
Go  quick  away  :  the  ftory  of  my  life  ; 
And  the  particular  accidents,  gone  by 
Since  I  came  to  this  ifle  :  And,  in  the  morn, 
I'll  bring  you  to  your  Ihip  ;  and  fo  to  Naples ; 
Where  1  have  hope  to  fee  the  nuptials 
Of  these  our  dear-beloved  folemniz'd  : 
And  thence  retire  me  to  my  Milan ;  where 
Every  third  thought  fhall  be  my  grave, 

Alq.  I  long 
To  hear  the  ftory  of  your  life ;  which  muft 
Take  the  ear  ftrangely. 

Pro.  I'll  deliver  all; 
And  promise  you  calm  feas,  aufpitious  gales, 
And  fail  fo  expeditious,  that  fhall  catch 
Your  royal  fleet  far  off :     "  My  Ariel ;  chick,  " 
"  That  is  thy  charge  :  Then,  to  the  elements;" 
M  Be  free;  and  fare  thou  well."— Please  you,  draw  near. 

advancing, 

Now  my  charms  are  all  o*  er- thrown, 
And  what  ftrength  I  have  9s  mine  own ; 
Which  is  mofi  faint :  now,  9tis  true, 
I  muft  be  here  confined  by  you. 
Or  Jent  to  Naples :  Let  me  not, 
Since  1  have  my  dukedom  got, 
And  pardon  d  the  deceiver,  dwell 
In  this  bare  ifland,  by  your  J  pell ; 
But  releafe  me  from  my  bands 


78 


The  Tempefl. 


With  the  help  of  your  good  hands  : 
Gentle  Ircath  of  yours  my  Jails 
Mujl  fill,  or  elje  my  projecl  fails, 
Which  was  to  please  ;  Now  I  want 
Spirits  to  enforce,  art  to  enchant, 
And  my  ending  is  defpair  ; 
Vnlejs  I  be  relicvd  by  prayer ; 
Which  pierces  fo,  that  it  ajfaults 
Mercy  itfelf  and  frees  all  faults* 

As  you  from  crimes  would  pardoned  be, 
Let  your  indulgence  fet  me  free. 

\Exeunt. 


The  two 

GENTLEMEN 
V 

VERONA. 


Per  fans  reprtseliitrf. 


£>uke,  Vice-roy  of  Milan: 

1  hurio,     7  Qentjemen  0r  fcs  Court. 
kglamour,  3  J 

\  al  en  tine,  7  Qentjemen  0/*  Verona. 
Irotheus,  j  J 
Antonio,  Protheus'  Father  ; 
Panthino,  his  Dcmejlick. 
Speed,  Page  to  Valentine. 
Launce,  Servant  /oPrctheus. 
Servant,  attending  the  Duke. 
Ho/},  a  Milanefe. 
three  Out-laws. 

Silvia,  Daughter  to  the  Duke. 
Julia,  a  Lady  of  Verona  : 
Lucetta,  her  Woman. 

Other  Attendants,  Out-Iazvs,  and  Musicians. 

Scene,  difperfd;  in  Verona,  Milan, 
and  the  Frontiers  of  Mantua. 


The 

two  GENTLEMEN  of 
VERONA. 


ACT  I. 

SCENE  I.   Verona,  A  Street. 
Enter  Valentine,  and  Protheus. 

Va  l  .  Ceafe  to  perfuade,  my  loving  Protheus  j 
Home-keeping  youth  have  ever  homely  wits : 
Wer't  not,  affe&ion  chains  thy  tender  days 
To  the  fweet  glances  of  thy  honour'd  love, 
I  rather  would  entreat  thy  company, 
To  fee  the  wonders  of  the  world  abroad, 
Than,  living  dully  fluggardiz'd  at  home, 
Wear  out  thy  youth  in  ihapelefs  idlenefs. 
But,  fince  thou  lov'ft,  love  ftill,  and  thrive  therein  ; 
Even  as  I  would,  when  I  to  love  begin. 

Pro.  Wilt  thou  be  gone  ?  fweet  Vale?itine,  adieu  ! 
Think  on  thy  Protheus,  when  thou,  haply,  fee'ft 
Some  rare  note-worthy  objecl:  in  thy  travel  : 
Willi  me  partaker  in  thy  happinefs, 
When  thou  doit  meet  good  hap ;  and,  in  thy  danger, 
(If  ever  danger  do  environ  thee) 


Vol*  L 


4 


7  he  two  G  e?t  tie  men  of "  Vercflfcr 


Commend  thy  grievance  to  my  holy  prayers, 
For  I  will  be  thy  beads-man,  Valentine* 

Val.  And  on  a  love-book  pray  for  my  fuccefs. 

Pro.   Upon  Tome  book  I  love,  I'll  pray  for  the'e. 

Val.  That's  on  fome  mallow  ftory  of  deep  love, 
How  young  Lc under  cro/Td  the  Helle/pont. 

Pro.    That's  a  deep  ftory  of  a  deeper  love  ; 
For  he  was  more  than  over  (hoes  in  love. 

Val.  'Tis  true;  for  you  are  over  boots  in  love, 
And  yet  you  never  fwom  the  Htllefpont. 

Pro.  Over  the  boots?  nay,  give  me  not  the  boots. 

Val.  No,  I  will  not;  for  it  boots  thee  not. 

Pro.  What?  [groans; 

Val.  To  be  in  love,  — where  fcorn  is  bought  with 
Coy  looks,  with  heart-fore  fighs;  one  fading  moment's 
With  twenty  watchful,  weary,  tedious  nights  :  [mirth 
If  haply  won,  perhaps  a  haplefs  gain  ; 
If  loft,  why  then  a  grievous  labour  won ; 
However,  but  a  folly  bought  with  wit, 
Or  elfe  a  wit  by  folly  vanquiflied. 

Pro.  So,  by  your  circumftance,  you  call  me  fool. 

Val.  So,  by  your  circumftance,  I  fear,  you'll  prove. 

Pro.  'Tis  love  you  cavil  at ;  I  am  not  love. 

Val.  Love  is  your  mafter ;  for  he  raafters  you  : 
And  he  that  is  fo  yoked  by  a  fool, 
Methinks,  lhould  not  be  chronicl'd  for  wise. 

Pro.  Yet  writers  fay,  As  in  the  fvveeteft  bud 
The  eating  canker  dwells ;  fo  eating  love 
Inhabits  in  the  fineft  wits  of  all. 

Val.  And  writers  fay,  As  the  moft  forward  bud 
Is  eaten  by  the  canker  ere  it  blow ; 
Even  fo  by  love  the  young  and  tender  wit 


The  two  Gentlemen  of  Verona.  5 


Is  turn'd  to  folly  ;  blafting  in  the  bud, 
Losing  his  verdure  even  in  the  prime, 
And  all  the  fair  efFe&s  of  future  hopes. 
But  wherefore  watte  I  time,  to  counfel  thee 
That  art  a  votary  to  fond  desire  ? 
Once  more,  adieu :  my  father  at  the  road 
Expects  my  coming,  there  to  fee  me  ftrip'd. 

Pro.   And  thither  will  I  bring  thee,  Valentine. 

Va  l  .  Sweet  Protheus,  no  ;  now  let  us  take  our  leave : 
At  Milan  let  me  hear  from  thee  by  letters, 
Of  thy  fuccefs  in  love,  and  what  news  elfe 
Betideth  here  in  abfcnce  of  thy  friend  ; 
And  I  likewise  will  visit  thee  with  mine. 

Pro.   All  happinefs  bechance  to  thee  in  Milan/ 

Val.  As  much  to  you  at  home !  and  fo,  farewel. 

[Exit  Valentine. 

Pro.  He  after  honour  hunts,  I  after  love  : 
He  leaves  his  friends,  to  dignify  them  more ; 
I  leave  myfelf,  my  friends,  and  all  for  love. 
Thou,  Julia,  thou  hall:  metamorphos'd  me ; 
Made  me  neglect  my  ftudies,  lose  my  time, 
War  with  good  counfel,  fet  the  world  at  nought; 
Made  wit  with  musing  weak,  heart  fick  with  thought. 
Enter  Speed,  bluntly. 

Spe.  Sir  Protheus  f  'fave  you,  tix :  Saw  you  my  matter  ? 

Pro.  But  now  he  parted  hence,  to  embark  for  Milan.. 

Sp&.  Twenty  to  one  then,  he  is  fhip'd  already ; 
And  I  have  play'd  the  Iheep,  in  losing  him, 

Fro.  Indeed,  a  meep  doth  very  often  ftray> 
An'  if  the  fhepherd  be  a  while  away. 

Sfe.  You  conclude,  that  my  matter  is  a  fhepherd 
then,  and  I  a  fheep  ? 

l*  I  k>ve  my 

*  3 


6 


The  tnxo  Gentlemen  of  Verona. 


Pro.  I  do. 

Spe.  Why  then  my  horns  are  his  horns,  wheher  I 
wake,  or  fleep. 

Pro.  A  filly  anfwer,  and  fitting  well  a  fheep. 

Spe.  This  proves  me  ftill  a  fheep. 

Pro.  True  ;  and  thy  mailer  a  fhepherd. 

Spe.  Nay,  that  I  can  deny  by  a  circum fiance. 

Pro.  It  mall  go  hard,  but  I'll  prove  it  by  another. 

Spe.  The  fhepherd  feeks  the  fheep,  and  not  the  fheep 
the  Ihepherd  ;  but  I  feek  my  mailer,  and  my  mailer  feeks 
not  me  :  therefore  I  am  no  fheep. 

Pro.  The  lheep  for  fodder  follows  the  Ihepherd,  the 
Ihepherd  for  food  follows  not  the  fheep  ;  thou  for  wages 
folio w'ft  thy  mailer,  thy  mailer  for  wages  follows  not 
thee :  therefore  thou  art  a  fheep. 

Spe.  Such  another  proof  will  make  me  cry,  ba. 

Pro.  Butdofl  thou  hear:  gav'ft  thou  my  letter  tdjulia  P 

Spe.  Ay,  fir  :  J,  a  loft  mutton,  gave  your  letter  to 
her,  a  lac'd  mutton ;  and  fhe,  a  lac'd  mutton,  gave  me, 
a  loft  mutton,  nothing  for  my  labour. 

Pro.  Here's  too  fmall  a  pafture  for  fuch  ftorq  of 
muttons. 

Spe.  If  the  ground  be  overcharged,  you  were  beft 
ftick  her. 

Pro.  Nay,  in  that  you  are  a-ftray  ;  'twere  beft  pound 
you. 

Spe.  Nay,  fir,  lefs  than  a  pound  Ihall  ferve  me  for 
carrying  your  letter. 

Pro.  You  miftake  ;  I  mean  the  pound,  a  pinfold. 

Spe.  From  a  pound  to  a  pin  ?  fold  it  over  and  over, 
'Tis  threefold  too  little  for  carrying  a  letter  to  your 
lover. 


i*  follow 


The  two  Gentlemen  of  Verona. 


7 


Pro.  But  what  faid  (he  ?  [Speed  nods.]  Drt  (be  not)  ? 
Spe.  I. 

Z^o.  Nod?  II  why,  that's  noddy, 

Spe.  You  miilook,  fir ;  I  faid,  (he  did  nod  :  and  you 
afk  me,  if  (he  did  nod  ;  and  I  faid,  I, 

Pro.  And  that,  fet  together,  is  — noddy. 

Spe.  Now  you  have  taken  the  pains  to  fet  it  together, 
take  it  for  your  pains. 

Pro.  No,  no,  you  fhall  have  it  for  bearing  the  letter. 

Spe.  Well,  I  perceive,  I  mud  be  fain  to  bear  with  you. 

Pro.  Why,  fir,  how  do  you  bear  with  me  ? 

Spe.  Marry,  fir,  the  letter  very  orderly;  having 
nothing  but  the  word,  noddy,  for  my  pains. 

Pro.  Beihrew  me,  but  you  have  a  quick  wit. 

Spe.  And  yet  it  cannot  overtake  your  flow  purfe. 

Pro.  Come,  come,  open  the  matter  in  brief;  What 
faid  {he  ? 

Spe.  Open  your  purfe  ;  that  the  money,  and  the 
matter,  may  be  both  at  once  delivered. 

Pro.  Well,  fir,  here  =f=  is  for  your  pains :  What  faid 
fhe  ? 

Spe.  Truly,  fir,  I  think  you'll  hardly  win  her. 

Pro  .  Why,  couldMl  thou  perceive  fo  much  from  her? 

Spe.  Sir,  I  could  perceive  nothing  at  all  from  her  ; 
no,  not  fo  much  as  a  ducat  for  delivering  your  letter : 
And,  being  fo  hard  to  me  that  brought  your  mind,  I 
fear  (he'll  prove  as  hard  to  you  in  telling  your  mind. 
Give  her  no  token  but  Hones,  for  (lie's  as  hard  as  fteel. 

Pro.  What,  faid  (he  nothing? 

Spe.  No,  not  fo  much  as— take  this  for  thy  pains. 
To  teftify  your  bounty,  I  thank  you,  you  have  teder'd 
me ;  in  requital  whereof,  henceforth  carry  your  letters 


8 


The  two  Gentlemen  of  Verona. 


yourfelf  :  and  fo,  fir,  I'll  commend  you  to  my  mafter. 

[Exit. 

Pro.  Go,  go,  begone,  to  fave  your  fhip  from  wreck  ; 
Which  cannot  perifti,  having  thee  aboard, 

Being  deftin'd  to  a  drier  death  on  more  :  

I  muft  go  fend  fome  better  meflenger ; 

I  fear,  my  Julia  would  not  deign  my  lines, 

Receiving  them  from  fuch  a  worthlefs  poft.  [Exit. 

SCENE  II.  The  fame.  Garden  tf^WsHaufe. 
Enter  Julia,  ^Lucetta. 

Jul.  But  fay,  Lucetta,  (now  we  are  alone) 
Would'ft  thou  then  counfel  me  to  fall  in  love  ? 

Luc.  Ay,  madam;  fo  you  ftumble  not  unheedfully. 

Jul.  Of  all  the  fair  resort  of  gentlemen. 
That  every  day  with  parle  encounter  me, 
In  thy  opinion  which  is  worthieft  love  ?  [mind, 

Luc.  'Please  you  repeat  their  names,  I'll  lhew  my 
According  to  my  mallow  fimple  (kill, 

Jul.  What  think'ft  thou  of  the  fair  fir  Eglamour  ? 

Luc.  As  of  a  knight  well-fpoken,  neat,  and  fine  ; 
But,  were  I  you,  he  never  mould  be  mine. 

Jul.  What  think'ft  thou  of  the  rich  MercatioP 

Luc.  Well,  of  his  wealth;  but,- of  himfelf,  fo,  fo. 

Jul.  What  think'ft  thou  of  the  gentle  Protheus? 

Luc.  Lord,  lord  !  to  fee  what  folly  reigns  in  us  ! 

Jul  .  How  now  ?  what  means  this  pafiion  at  his  name  ? 

Luc.  Pardon,  dear  madam;  'tis  a  pafling  Ihame, 
That  I,  unworthy  body  as  I  am, 
Should  cenfure  thus  on  lovely  gentlemen. 

Jul.  Why  not  on  Protheus,  as  of  all  the  reft  ? 

Luc  Then  thus— of  many  good  I  think  him  bcft. 


The  two  Gentlemen  of  Verona. 


9 


Jul  .  Your  reason  ? 

Luc.  I  have  no  other  but  a  woman's  reason; 
I  think  him  fo,  becaufe  1  think  him  fo. 

Jul  .  And  would'ft  thou  have  me  call  my  love  on  him  ? 

Luc.  Ay,  if  you  thought  your  love  not  caft  away. 

Jul.  Why,  he  of  all  the  reft  hath  never  mov'd  me. 

Luc.  Yet  he  of  all  the  reft,  I  think,  beft  loves  you. 

Jul.  His  little  fpeaking  mews  his  love  but  fmall. 

Luc.  Fire,  that  is  clofeft  kept,  burns  moil  of  all. 

Jul.  They  do  not  love,  that  do  not  fhew  their  love. 

Luc.  O,  they  love  leaft,  that  let  men  know  their  love. 

Jul.  I  would,  I  knew  his  mind. 

Luc.  Peruse  this  "f-  paper,  madam. 

Jul  .  To  Julia>  _  Say,  from  whom  ? 

Luc.  That  the  contents  will  fhew. 

Jul.  Say,  fay  ;  who  gave  it  thee?  \Protbeus  : 

Luc.  Sir  Valentine' *s  page;  and  fent,  I  think,  from 
He  would  have  given  it  you,  but  I,  being  in  the  way, 
Did  in  your  name  receive  it ;  pardon  the  fault,  I  pray, 

Jul  .  Now,  by  my  modefty,  a  goodly  broker ! 
Dare  you  presume  to  harbour  wanton  lines  ? 
To  whifper  and  confpire  again  ft  my  youth  ? 
Now,  truft  me,  'tis  an  ofHce  of  great  worth ; 
And  you  an  officer  fit  for  the  place. 
There,  take  the  =f=  paper,  fee  it  be  returned  ; 
Or  elie  return  no  more  into  my  fight. 

Luc.  To  plead  for  love  deserves  more  fee  than  hate. 

Ji  l.  Will  you  be  gone? 

Luc.  "  that  you  may  ruminate.  "  [Exit* 
Ji  L.  And  yet  I  would  I  had  o'er-look'd  the  letter. 
It  were  a  (hatne,  to  call  her  back  again, 
And  pray  her  to  a  fauk  for  which  I  chid  her* 


Id 


The  two  Gentlemen  of  Verona* 


What  foe!  is  fhe,  that  knows  I  am  a  maid, 
And  would  nor  force  the  letter  to  my  view  ? 
Since  maids,  in  modefty,  fay,  no,  to  that 
Which  they  would  have  the  profrerer  con  (true,  ay* 
Fie,  fie  !  how  wayward  is  this  fooiifh  love  ; 
That,  like  a  tefty  babe,  will  fcratch  the  nurfe, 
And  presently,  all  humbi'd,  kifs  the  rod! 
How  churlilhly  I  chid  Lucetta  hence, 
When  willingly  1  would  have  had  her  here  ! 
How  angerly  I  taught  my  brow  to  frown, 
When  inward  joy  enforced  my  heart  to  fmile  ! 
My  penance  is,  to  call  Lucetta  back, 

And  aft  remimon  for  my  folly  palt :  

What  ho  !  Lucetta  t 

Re-  enter  Lucetta. 

Lvc*  What  would  your  lady  (hip  ? 

Jul.  Is  it  near  dinner-time  I 

Luc.  I  would,  it  were; 
That  you  might  kill  your  itomach  on  your  meat. 
And  not  upon  your  maid. 

Jul.  What  is' t,  that  you 
Took  up  fo  gingerly  ? 

Luc.  Nothing. 

Jul.  Why  didft  thou  ftoop  then  ? 
Luc.  To  take  a  paper  up,  that  I  let  fall. 
Jul.  And  is  that  paper  nothing? 
Luc.  Nothing  concerning  me. 
Jul.  Then  let  it  lie  for  those  that  it  concerns. 
Luc.  Madam,  it  will  not  lie  where  it  concerns, 
Unlcfs  it  have  a  falfe  interpreter. 

Jul.  Some  love  cf  yours  hath  writ  to  you  in  rime* 
Luc.  That  I  might  f:ng  it,  madam,  to  a  tune  : 


The  two  Gentlemen  of  Verona.  1 1 

Give  me  a  note  ;  your  ladyfhip  can  fet. 

Jul.  As  little  by  fuch  toys  as  may  be  poffible : 
Sell:  fing  it  to  the  tune  of,  Light  oy  low. 

Luc.  It  is  too  heavy  for  fo  light  a  tune. 

jul.  Heavy  ?  belike,  it  hath  fome  burden  then. 

Luc.  Ay  ;  and  melodious  were  it,  would  you  fing  it. 

Jul  .  And  why  not  you  ? 

Luc.  t  cannot  reach  fo  high. 

Jul  .  Let's  fee  your  y  fong  :  C!3l£2,  how  now,  minion? 

Luc.  Keep  tune  there  ftill,  fo  you  will  fing  it  out : 
And  yet,  methinks,  I  do  not  like  this  tune. 

Jul.  You  do  not  ? 

Luc.  No,  madam,  it  is  too  lharp. 

Jul.  You,  minion,  are  too  faucy. 

Luc.  Nay,  now  you  are  too  flat, 
And  mar  the  concord  with  too  harm  a  defcant : 
There  wanteth  but  a  mean  to  fill  your  fong. 

Jul.  The  mean  is  drovvn'd  with  your  unruly  bafe. 

Luc.  Indeed,  T  bid  the  bafe  for  Protheus. 

Jul.  This  babble  fhall  not  henceforth  trouble  me.— 
Here  is  a  coil  with  proteftation  !  — 

[looking  over  the  Letter ;  tears,  and  throws  it  away. 
Go,  get  you  gone  ;  and  let  the  papers  lye : 
You  would  be  fmg'ring  them,  to  anger  me.  [pleas'd, 

Luc.  She  makes  it  ltrange ;  but  me  would'  be  bell 
To  be  fo  anger'd  with  another  letter.  [Exit. 

Jul.  Nay,  would  I  were  fo  anger'd  with  the  fame  ! 
O  hateful  hands,  to  tear  fuch  loving  words ! 
Injurious  wafps  ;  to  feed  on  fuch  fvveet  honey, 
A.nd  kill  the  bees,  that  yield  it,  with  your  itings  ! 
I'll  kifs  each  feveral  p;iper  for  amends. 

[picking  up  the  Pieces. 


12 


The  tivo  Gentlemen  of  Verona. 


Look,  here  is  writ  —  kind  Julia,  —  Unkind  Julia  t 
As  in  revenge  of  thy  ingratitude, 
I  throw  "|"  thy  name  againft  the  bruising  ftones, 
Trampling  contemptuoufly  on  thy  difdain. 
And  here  is  writ — love-wounded  Protheus  :  ~~ 
Poor  wounded  name!  my  bosom,  as  a  bed, 
Shall  lodge  thee,  'till  thy  wound  be  throughly  heal'd; 
And  thus  ~f~  I  fearch  it  with  a  fovereign  kifs. 
But  twice,  or. thrice,  was  Protheus  written  down  : 
Be  calm,  good  wind,  blow  not  a  word  away, 
'Till  I  have  found  each  letter  in  the  letter, 
Except  mine  own  name  ;  that  fome  whirlwind  bear 
Unto  a  ragged,  fearful,  hanging  rock, 
And  throw  it  thence  into  the  raging  fea. 
Lo,  here  in  one  line  is  his  name  twice  writ, — 
Poor  forlorn  Protheus,  pafjionate  Protheus, 
To  the  fweet  Julia ;  —  that  I'll  tear  away  ; 
And  yet  I  will  not,  fith  fo  prettily 
He  couples  it  to  his  complaining  names  : 
Thus  "|"  will  I  fold  them  one  upon  another; 
Now  kifs,  embrace,  contend,  do  what  you  will. 
Re- enter  Lucetta. 

Luc.  Madam, 
Pinner  is  ready,  and  your  father  ftays. 
Jul,  Well,  let  us  go. 

L  uc .  What,  mall  these  papers  lye  like  tell-tales  here  ? 

Jul.  If  you  refpecl  them,  beft  to  take  them  up. 

Luc.  Nay,  1  was  taken  up  for  laying  them  down  : 
Yet  here  they  fhall  not  lye,  for  catching  cold. 

Jul.  I  fee,  you  have  a  month's  mind  to  them. 

Luc.  Ay,  madam,  you  may  fay  what  fights  you  fee: 
I  fee  things  too,  although  you  judge  I  wink. 


Tit  two  Gentlemen  of  Verona.  1 3 

yi?L.  Come,  come,  wilPt  please  you  go  ?  [Exeunt. 

SCENE  III.  The  fame.  A  Room  in  Antonio'j  Hq wfe. 
Enter  Antonio,  and  Panthino. 

ANT.  Tell  me,  Pantbino,  what  fad  talk  was  that, 
Wherewith  my  brother  held  you  in  the  cloifter  ? 

Pan.  'Twas  of  his  nephew  Protbeus,  your  fon. 

Ant.  Why,  what  of  him  ? 

Pan.  He  wonder'd,  that  your  lordlhip 
Would  fufFer  him  to  fpend  his  youth  at  home  ; 
While  other  men,  of  {lender  reputation, 
Put  forth  their  fons  to  feek  preferment  out : 
Some  to  the  wars,  to  try  their  fortune  there  ; 
Some  to  difcover  iflands  far  away  ; 
Some  to  the  ftudious  univerfities. 
For  any,  or  for  all  these  exercises. 
He  faid,  that  Protbeus,  your  fon,  was  meet  ; 
And  did  requeft  me,  to  importune  you 
To  let  him  fpend  his  time  no  more  at  home ; 
Which  would  be  great  impeachment  to  his  age, 
In  having  known  no  travel  in  his  youth. 

Ant.  Nor  need'ft  thou  much  importune  me  to  that 
Whereon  this  month  I  have  been  hammering. 
I  have  confider'd  well  his  lofs  of  time ; 
And  how  he  cannot  be  a  perfeft  man. 
Not  being  try'd  and  tutor'd  in  the  world  : 
Experience  is  by  induftry  atchiev'd, 
And  perfected  by  the  fwift  courfe  of  time  : 
Then,  tell  me,  whither  were  I  beft  to  fend  him  ? 

Pan.  I  think,  your  lordmip  is  rot  ignorant, 
How  his  companion,  youthful  Valentine, 
Attends  the  emperor  in  his  royal  court. 


The  two  Gentlemen  of  Verona. 

JnT .  I  knew  it  well.  [thither  : 

Pan.  'Twere  good,  I  think,  your  lordfhip  fent  him 
There  fhall  he  praclise  tilts  and  tournaments, 
Hear  fweet  difcourfe,  converfe  with  noblemen; 
And  be  in  eye  of  every  exercise, 
Worthy  his  youth  and  noblenefs  of  blood. 

Ant.  I  like  thy  counfel ;  well  haft  thou  advis'd  : 
And,  that  thou  may'ft  perceive  how  well  I  like  it, 
The  execution  of  it  lhall  make  known  ; 
Even  with  the  fpeedieft  expedition 
I  will  difpatch  him  to  the  emperor's  court. 

Pan.  To-morrow,  may  it  please  you,  don  Alphcnsoi 
With  other  gentlemen  of  good  efteem, 
Are  journeying  to  falute  the  emperor, 
And  to  commend  their  fervice  to  his  will. 

Ant.  Good  company ;  with  them  mail  Protheus  go : 
And,  in  good  time,  now  will  we  break  with  him. 
Enter  Protheus,  at  a  Di/la?ice,  reading. 

Pro.  Sweet  love  I  fweet  lines !  fvveet  life!  facet  Julia! 
Kere  is  her  hand,  the  agent  of  her  heart  ; 
Here  is  her  oath  for  love,  her  honour's  pawn : 
O,  that  our  fathers  would  applaud  our  loves, 
To  feal  our  happinefs  with  their  confents  ! 
O  heavenly  Julia  ! 

Ant.  How  now  ?  what  letter  are  you  reading  there  ? 

Pro.  May't  please  your  lordfhip,  'tis  a  word  or  two 
Of  commendations  fent  from  Valentine; 
Beliver'd  by  a  friend  that  came  from  him. 

Ant.  Lend  me  the  letter ;  let  me  fee  what  news. 

Pro.  There  is  no  news,  toy  lord  ;  but  that  he  writes 
How  happily  he  lives,  how  well  belov'd, 
And  daily  graced  by  the  emperor ; 


The  two  Gentlemen  of  Verona.  1 5 

Wilhing  me  with  him,  partner  of  his  fortune. 

A  NT.  And  how  ftand  you  affected  to  his  wiili  ? 

Pro.   As  one  relying  0:1  your  Jordfliip's  will, 
And  not  depending  on  his  friendly  wiih. 

Ant.  My  will  is  fomething  forted  with  his  wifh  : 
Muse  not  that  I  thus  fuddeniy  proceed ; 
For  what  I  will,  I  will,  and  there  an  end. 
J  am  resolv'd,  chat  thou  fhalt  fpend  fome  time 
With  Fale?ttino  in  the  emperor's  court ; 
What  maintenance  he  from  his  friends  receives, 
Like  exhibition  thou  fhak  have  from  me. 
To-morrow  be  in  readinefs  to  go : 
Excuse  it  not,  for  I  am  perempro;  y. 

Pro.  My  lord,  I  cannot  be  fo  focn  provided; 
Please  you,  deliberate  a  day  or  two. 

Ant.  Look, what  thou  want'ft,  mail  be  fent  after  thee: 

No  more  of  ftay  ;  to-morrow  thou  mud  go  

Come  on,  Panthino  ;  you  mail  be  employ'd 
To  haflen  on  his  expedition. 

[Exeunt  Antonio,  ^/iPAMKixo. 

Pro.  Thus  have  I  fhun'd  the  fire,  for  fear  of  burning, 
And  drench'd  me  in  the  fea,  where  I  am  drown'd  : 
1  fear'd  to  mew  my  father  Julia 's  letter, 
Left  he  mould  take  exceptions  to  my  love  ; 
And  with  the  vantage  of  mine  own  excufe 
Hath  he  excepted  moft  againft  my  love. 
O,  how  this  fpring  of  love  resembleth 

The  uncertain  glory  of  an  April  day ; 
Which  now  mews  all  the  beauty  of  the  fun* 
And  by  and  by  a  cloud  takes  all  away ! 
Re-enter  Pantkixo, 

Pan*  Sir  Protbeus,  your  father  calls  for  you  $ 


The  tvjo  Gentlemen  of  Verona. 


Ke  is  in  hafte,  therefore,  I  pray  you,  go. 
Pro.  Why,  this  it  is  !  my  heart  accords  thereto; 
And  yet  a  thousand  times  it  anfwers,  no.  [Exeunt. 


act  ii. 

SCENE  I.  Milan.  A  Room  in  the  Duke's  Palace. 
Enter  Valentine,  Speed  following. 

Spe.  Sir,  your  "I"  glove. 

Val.  Not  mine;  my  gloves  are  on. 

Spe.  Why,  then  this  may  be  yours;  for  this  is  butone\ 

Val.  Ha  !  let  me  fee  :  ay,  give  it  me,  it's  mine  :  — 
Sweet  ornament,  that  decks  a  thing  divine  ! 
Ah  Silvia  1  Silvia! 

Spe.  Madam  Silvia  /  madam  Silvia! 

Val  .  How  now,  firrah  ? 

Spe.  She  is  not  within  hearing,  fir. 

Val.  Why,  fir,  who  bad  you  call  her  ? 

Spe.  Your  worftiip,  fir;  or  elfe  I  miftook. 

Val.  Well,  you'll  ftill  be  too  forward. 

Spe.  And  yet  I  was  laft  chidden  for  being  too  flow. 

Val  .  Go  to,  fir :  tell  me,  do  you  know  madam  Si/via  ? 

Spe.  She  that  your  wornhip  loves  ? 

Val.  Why,  how  know  you  that  I  am  in  love  ? 

Spe.  Marry,  by  these  fpecial  marks;  Firft,  you 
h?ve  learn'd,  like  fir  Protbeus,  to  wreath  your  arms 
bke  a  male-content  ;  to  relifti  a  love-fong,  like  a 
fT/kVred-breaft  ;  to  walk  alone,  like  one  that  had 
the  peftilence;  to  figh,  like  a  fchool-boy  that  had  loft 
his  A  B  C  ;  to  weep,  like  a  young  wench  that  had 
bury'd  hef  grandame  ;  to  fart,  like  one  that  takes 


The  t<wo  Gentlemen  of  Verona. 


'7 


diet ;  to  watch,  like  one  that  fears  robbing  ;  to  fpeak 
puling,  like  a  beggar  at  hollowmafs :  You  were  wont, 
when  you  laugh'd,  to  crow  like  a  cock  ;  when  you 
walk'd,  to  walk  like  one  of  the  lions ;  when  you  fafted, 
it  was  presently  after  dinner ;  when  you  look'd  fadly, 
it  was  for  want  of  money  :  and  now  you  are  metamor- 
phos'd  with  amiftrefs;  that,  when  I  look  on  you,  I  can 
hardly  think  you  my  mafter. 

Val.  Are  all  these  things  perceiv'd  in  me  ? 

Spe.  They  are  all  perceiv'd  without  you. 

Val.  Without  me  ?  they  cannot. 

Spe.  Without  you  ?  nay,  that's  certain  ;  for,  with- 
out you  were  fo  fimple,  none  elfe  would :  but  you  are 
fo  without  these  follies,  that  these  follies  are  within 
you,  and  fhine  through  you  like  the  water  in  an  urinal; 
that  not  an  eye,  that  fees  you,  but  is  a  physician  to  com- 
ment on  your  malady. 

Val.  But,  tell  me,  doft  thou  know  my  lady  Silvia? 

Spe.  She  that  you  gaze  on  fo,  as  me  fits  at  fupper? 

Val.  Haft  thou  observ'd  that?  even  me  I  mean. 

Spe.  Why,  fir,  I  know  her  not. 

Val.  Doft  thou  know  her  by  my  gazing  on  her,  and 
yet  know'ft  her  not  ? 

Spe.  Is  me  not  hard-favour'd,  fir? 

Val.  Not  fo  fair,  boy,  as  well-favour'd. 

Spe.  Sir,  I  know  that  well  enough. 

Val.  What  doft  thou  know? 

Spe.  That  fhe is  not  fo  fair,  as  (of you)  well  favour'd. 

Val.  I  mean,  that  her  beauty  is  exquisite,  but  her 
Favour  infinite. 

Spe.  That's  because  the  one  is  painted,  and  the 
ether  out  of  all  count. 


Vol.  I 


0 


The  tivo  Gentlemen  of  Verona, 


Val.  How  painted  ?  and  how  out  of  count  ? 

Spe.  Marry,  fir,  fo  painted,  to  make  her  fair,  thai 
no  man  counts  of  her  beauty. 

Val  .  How  efteeirTft  thou  me  ?  I  account  of  her  beauty, 

Spe.  You  never  faw  her  fince  fhe  was  deform'd. 

Val  .  How  long  hath  fhe  been  deform'd  ? 

Spe.  Ever  fince  you  lov'd  her. 

Val.  I  have  lov'd  her  ever  fince  I  faw  her;  and  ftill 
I  fee  her  beautiful. 

Spe.  If  you  love  her,  you  cannot  fee  her. 

Val.  Why? 

Spe.  Because  love  is  blind.  O,  that  you  had  mine 
eyes ;  or  your  own  eyes  had  the  lights  they  were  wont  tor 
have,  when  you  chid  at  fir  Prctbeus  for  going  ungarter'd  ! 

Val.  What  mould  I  fee  then  ? 

Spe.  Your  own  present  folly,  and  her  pairing  de- 
formity :  for  he,  being  in  love,  could  not  fee  to  garter 
his  hose  ;  and  you,  being  in  love,  cannot  fee  to  put  on 
your  hose. 

Val.  Belike,  boy,  then  you  are  in  love;  for  lafl 
morning  you  could  not  fee  to  wipe  my  fhoes. 

Spe.  True,  fir;  I  was  in  love  with  my  bed:  I  thank 
you,  you  fwing'd  me  for  my  love ;  which  makes  me  the 
bolder  to  chide  you  for  yours. 

Val.  In  conclusion,  I  Hand  affe&ed  to  her.  [ceafe, 

Spe.  I  would  you  were  fet,  fo  your  afFe&ion  would 

Val.  Laft  night  Ihe  enjoin'd  me  to  write  fome  lines 
to  one  Ihe  loves. 

Spe.  And  have  you  ? 

Val.  I  have, 

Spe.  Are  they  not  lamely  writ? 

Val.  No,  boy;  but  as  well  as  I  can  do  them  . 


?'be  t  zvo  Gentlemen  of  Verona. 


Peace,  here  me  comes. 

Enter  Silvia. 

Spe.  "  O  excellent  motion  !  o  exceeding  puppet !  " 
"  now  will  he  interpret  to  her. " 

Val  .  Madam  and  miftrefs,  a  thousand  good  morrows. 

Spe.  "  O,  gi'  ye  good  even!  here's  a  million  of  man- 
"ners.  " 

Sil.    Sir  Valentine  and.  fervant,  to  you  two  thousand. 
Spe.  "  He  mould  give  her  intereft ;  and  fhe  gives  it 
"him." 

V al  .  As  you  enjoin'd  me,  I  have  writ  your  letter 
Unto  the  fecret  namelefs  friend  of  yours ; 
Which  I  was  much  unwilling  to  proceed  in, 
But  for  my  duty  to  your  ladylhip.       [gives  the  Letter. 

Sil  .  I  thank  you,  gentle  fervant :  'tis  very  clerkly  done. 

Val.  Now  truft  me,  madam,  it  came  hardly  off ; 
For,  being  ignorant  to  whom  it  goes, 
I  writ  at  random,  very  doubtfully. 

Sil  .  Perchance,  you  think  toomuch  of  fo  much  pains, 

Val.  No,  madam  ;  fo  it  ftead  you,  I  will  write, 
Please  you  command,  a  thousand  times  as  much. 
And  yet,  ~ 

Sil.   A  pretty  period  !  Well,  I  guefs  the  fequel ; 
And  yet  I  will  not  name 't :  —  and  yet  I  care  not :  — 
And  yet  take  this  "J"  again  :  —  and  yet  I  thank  you ; 
Meaning  henceforth  to  trouble  you  no  more. 

Spe.  "  And  yet  you  will  ;  and  yet  another  yet.  " 

Val  .  What  means  your  ladyfhip  ?  do  you  not  like  it  i 

Sil.   Yes,  yes ;  the  lines  are  very  quaintly  writ : 
But,  fmce  unwillingly,  take  them  again ; 
Nay,  take  "|"  them. 

Val,  Madam,  they  are  for  you. 


20  The  two  Gentlemen  of  Verdna. 


Sil.  Ay,  ay  ;  you  writ  them,  fir,  at  my  requeft  j 
But  I  will  none  of  them ;  they  are  for  you  : 
I  would  have  had  them  writ  more  movingly. 

Val.  Please  you,  I'll  write  your  ladyfhip  another. 

Sil.  And,  when  it's  writ,  for  my  fake  read  it  over : 
And,  if  it  please  you,  fo ;  if  not,  why,  fo. 

Val.  If  it  please  me,  madam  ?  what  then  ? 

Sil  .  Why,  if  it  please  you,  take  it  for  your  labour  ; 
And  fo,  good  morrow,  fervant.  [Exit  Silvia. 

Spe.  O  jeft  unfeen,  infcrutable,  invisible, 
As  a  nose  on  a  man's  face,  or  a  weather-cock  on  a  fteeple ! 
My  matter  fues  to  her ;  and  fhe  hath  taught  her  fuitor, 
He  being  her  pupil,  to  become  her  tutor. 
O  excellent  devife  !  was  there  ever  heard  a  better  ? 
That  my  mafter,  being  fcribe,  to  himfelf  mould  write 
the  letter  ?  [yourfelf  ? 

Val.  How  now,  fir?  what  are  you  reasoning  with 

Spe.  Nay,  I  was  riming;'tisyou  that  have  the  reason. 

Val.  To  do  what  ? 

Spe.  To  be  a  fpokesman  from  madam  Silvia. 
Val.  To  whom  r 

Spe.  To  yourfelf:  why,  flie  wooes  you  by  a  figure. 
Val.  What  figure? 
Spe.  By  a  letter,  I  mould  fay. 
Val.  Why,  fhe  hath  not  writ  to  me. 
Spe.  What  need  Ihe,  when  fhe  hath  made  you  write 
to  yourfelf?  Why,  do  you  not  perceive  the  jell:  ? 
Val.  No,  believe  me. 

Spe.  No  believing  you  indeed,  fir:  But  did  you  per- 
ceive her  earneft  ? 

Val.  She  gave  me  none,  except  an  angry  word, 
Spe.  Why,  fhe  hath  given  you  a  letter. 


The  two  Gentlemen  of  Verona. 


si 


Val.  That's  the  letter  I  writ  to  her  friend.  [end. 

Spe.  And  that  letter  hath  me  deliver'd,  and  there  an 

Val.  I  would,  it  were  no  worfe. 

Spe.  I'll  warrant  you,  'tis  as  well: 
For  often  have  you  writ  to  her  ;  and  fhe,  in  modefty, 
Or  elfe  for  want  of  idle  time,  could  not  again  reply  ; 
Or  fearing  elfe  fome  me/Tenger  that  might  her  mind 
difcover, 

Herfelf  hath  taught  her  love  himfelf  to  write  unto  her 
lover  

All  this  I  fpeak  in  print,  for  in  print  I  found  it.— 
Why  muse  you,  fir?  'tis  dinner-time. 
Val.  I  have  din'd. 

Spe.  Ay,  but  hearken,  fir;  though  the  cameleon  love 
can  feed  on  the  air,  I  am  one  that  am  nourifrYd  by  my 
victuals,  and  would  fain  have  meat :  O,  be  not  like 
your  miftrefs  ;  be  moved,  be  moved.  [Exeunt, 

SCE  NE  II.  Verona.  Room  in  Julia's  Houfe. 
Enter  Protheus,  and  Julia. 
Pro.  Have  patience,  gentle  Julia. 
Jul.  I  muft,  where  is  no  remedy. 
Pro.  When  pofTibly  I  can,  I  will  return. 
Jul.  If  you  turn  not,  you  will  return  the  fooner. 
Keep  this  =j=  remembrance  for  thy  Julia's  fake. 

[giving  a  Ring. 

Pr  o .  Why,  then  we'll  make  exchange ;  here,  take  you 
Jul.  And  feal  the  bargain  with  a  holy  kifs.  [=j=this. 
Pro.  Here  is  "j~  my  hand  for  my  true  conftancy  : 
And  when  that  hour  o'er-llips  me  in  the  day, 
Wherein  I  figh  not,  Julia,  for  thy  fake, 
The  next  enfuing  hour  fome  foul  mifchance 


22 


The  two  Gentlemen  of  Verona. 


Torment  me  for  my  love's  forgetfulnefs ! 
My  father  Mays  my  coming ;  anfwer  not ; 
The  tide  is  now :  nay,  not  thy  tide  of  tears  ; 
That  tide  will  ftay  me  longer  than  I  fhould. 
Julia,  farewel.  _  What,  gone  without  a  word  ? 

[Exit  Julia. 
Ay,  fo  true  love  fhould  do  :  it  cannot  fpeak; 
For  truth  hath  better  deeds  than  words  to  grace  it. 
Enter  Panthino. 

Pan.  Sir  Protbeus,  you  are  ftay'd  for. 

Pro.  Go,  I  come  : 
Alas,  this  parting  ftrikes  poor  lovers  dumb.  [Exeunt, 

SCENE  III.  The  fame.  A  Street. 
Enter  Launce,  njoith  a  Dog  in  a  String. 
La  v.  Nay,  'twill  be  this  hour  ere  I  have  done  weep- 
ing ;  all  the  kind  of  the  Launces  have  this  very  fault: 
I  have  received  my  proportion,  like  the  prodigious  fon, 
and  am  going  with  fir  Protheus  to  the  imperiaFs  court. 
J  think,  Crab  my  dog  be  the  foureft-natur'd  dog  that 
lives  :  my  mother  weeping,  my  father  wailing,  my  fifter 
crying,  our  maid  howling,  our  cat  wringing  her  hands? 
and  ail  our  houfe  in  a  great  perplexity,  yet  did  not 
this  cruel-hearted  cur  fhed  one  tear  :  he  is  a  ftone,  a 
very  pibble-ftone,  and  has  no  more  pity  in  him  than  a 
dog ;  a  Jew  would  have  wept  to  have  feen  our  part- 
ing ;  why,  my  grandame,  having  no  eyes,  look  you, 
wept  herfelf  blind  at  my  parting.  Nay,  Til  fhow  you 
the  manner  of  it  :  This  fhoe  is  my  father  ;  —  no,  this 
left  fhoe  is  my  father; -"no,  no,  this  left  fhoe  is  my 
mother  ;  —  nay,  that  cannot  be  fo  neither  ;  — yes,  it  is 
fo?  it  is  fo  ;  it  hath  the  worfer  fole  :  This  ftioe,  with  the 


1 1  I  cerae;  I  come  ; 


The  two  Gentlemen  tf/*  Verona. 


hole  in  it,  is  my  mother ;  and  this,  my  father;  A  ven- 
geance on?t!  there  'tis  :  now,  fir,  this  ftafFis  my  filter; 
for,  look  you,  {he  is  as  white  as  a  lilly,  and  as  fmall  as 
a  wand  :  this  hat  is  Nan  our  maid  :  I  am  the  dog;  — 
no,  the  dog  is  himfelf,  and  I  am  the  dog,  — -o,  the  dog 
is  me,  and  I  am  myfelf;  ay,  fo,  fo :  Now  come  I  to  my 
father,  Father,  your  hlejjing  ;  now  fhould  not  the  {hoe 
fpeak  a  word  for  weeping ;  now  fhould  I  kifs  my  father; 
well,  he  weeps  on  :  now  come  I  to  my  mother;  —  O, 
that  fhe  could  fpeak  now,  like  a  wode  woman  !~ well, 
I  kifs  her;— why,  there  'tis ;  here's  my  mother's  breath 
up  and  down  :  now  come  I  to  my  filler  ;  mark  the  moan 
fhe  makes  :  now  the  dog  all  this  while  ftieds  not  a  tear, 
nor  {peaks  a  word ;  but  fee  how  I  lay  the  dull:  with  my 
tears. 

Enter  Panthivo. 

Pan  Launcel  away,  away,  aboard;  thy  matter  is 
fhip'd,  and  thou  art  to  poft  after  with  oars  :  What's  the 
matter  r  why  weep'ft  thou.,  man?  Away,  afs ;  you'll  lose 
the  tide,  if  you  tarry  any  longer. 

Lav.  It  is  no  matter,  if  the  ty'd  were  loft ;  for  it  is 
the  unkindeft  ty'd  that  ever  any  man  ty'd. 

Pan.  What's  the  unkindeft  tide  ? 

Lau.  Why,  he  that's  ty'd  here;  Crah,  my  dog. 

Pan.  Tut,  man!  I  mean,  thou'lt  lose  the  flood; 
and,  in  losing  the  Hood,  lose  thy  voyage  ;  and,  in  losing 
thy  voyage,  lcse  thy  mafter;  and,  in  losing  thy  mafter, 
lose  thy  fervice;  and,  in  losing  thy  fervice,— Why  doll 
thou  flop  my  mouth  ? 

Lau.  For  fear  thou  ftiould'ft  lose  thy  tongue. 

Pan.  Where  ftiould  I  lose  my  tongue  ? 

La  u.  In  thy  tale. 


20  a  ,vou!d- woman 


24  Fhe  two  Gentlemen  of  Verona, 

Pan.  In  thy  tail  ? 

Lav.  Lose  the  tide,  and  the  voyage,  and  the  mafkr, 
and  the  fervice  ?  —  Why,  man,  if  the  river  were  dry,  I 
am  able  to  fill  it  with  my  tears ;  if  the  wind  were  down, 
I  could  drive  the  boat  with  my  fighs. 

Pan.  Come,  come  away,  man;  I  was  fent  to  call  thee. 

Lav.  Sir,  call  me  what  thou  dar'ft. 

Pan .  Wilt  thou  go  ? 

La  v.  Well,  I  will  go.  v  [Exeunt. 

SCENE  IV.  Milan.  A  Room  in  the  Duke's  Palace. 
Enter  Silvia,  Valentine,  Thurio,  and  Speed. 
Sil.    Servant, — 

Val.  Miftrefs  ?  \jhey  converfe  apart. 

Spe.  Matter,  fir  Thurio  frowns  on  you. 

Val.  Ay,  boy,  it's  for  love. 

Spe.  Not  of  you. 

Val.  Of  my  miftrefs  then. 

Spe.  'Twere  good,  you  knock'd  him* 

Sil.    Servant,  you  are  fad. 

Val.  Indeed,  madam,  I  feem  fo. 

Thv.  Seem  you  that  you  are  not  ? 

Val.  Haply,  I  do. 

Thv.  So  do  counterfeits. 

Val  .  So  do  you. 

Thv.  What  feem  I,  that  I  am  not  I 
Val.  Wise. 

Thv.  What  inftance  of  the  contrary? 
Val.  Your  folly. 

Thv.  And  how  quote  you  my  folly  i 
Val.  I  quote  it  in  your  jerkin. 
Thv.  My  jerkin  13  a  doublet. 


3  v«  NotU, 


The  t<voo  Gentlemen  of  Verona. 


2J 


Val.  Well  then,  I'll  double  your  folly. 
<T h u.  How  ? 

S/z .   What,  angry,  {\xThnrio?  do  you  change  colour? 
Val  .  Give  him  leave,  madam ;  he  is  a  kind  ofcameleon. 
Thu.  That  hath  more  mind  to  feed  on  your  blood, 
than  live  in  your  air. 

Val,  You  have  faid,  fir. 

Thu.  Ay,  fir,  and  done  too,  for  this  time.  [gi°- 
Val.  I  know  it  well,  fir ;  you  always  end  ere  you  be- 
Sil.    A  fine  volley  of  words,  gentlemen,  and  quick- 
ly Ihot  off. 

Val.  'Tis  indeed,  madam;  we  thank  the  giver. 
Sil.    Who  is  that,  fervant  ? 

Val.  Yourfelf,  fvveet  lady;  for  you  gave  the  fire  :  fir 
Tburio  borrows  his  wit  from  your  ladyfhip's  looks,  and 
fpends  what  he  borrows  kindly  in  your  company. 

Thu.  Sir,  if  you  fpend  word  for  word  with  me,  I  (hall 
make  your  wit  bankrupt. 

Val.  I  know  it  well,  fir :  you  have  an  exchequer  of 
words,  and,  I  think,  no  other  treasure  to  give  your  fol- 
lowers ;  for  it  appears  by  their  bare  liveries,  that  they 
live  by  your  bare  words. 

Sil.  No  more,  gentlemen,  no  more;  here  comes  my 
father. 

Enter  Duke,  attended. 

DuL    Now,  daughter  Silvia  ?  you  are  hard  befet— 
Sir  Valentine,  your  father's  in  good  health  : 
What  fay  you  to  a  letter  from  your  friends, 
Of  much  good  news  ? 

Val.  My  lord,  I  will  be  thankful 
To  any  happy  meflenger  from  thence. 

Duk.  Know  you  don  Antonio,  your  countryman  ? 


26 


The  two  Gentlemen  of  Verona. 


Val,  Ay,  my  good  lord,  I  know  the  gentleman 
To  be  of  worth,  and  worthy  eftimation, 
.And  not  without  desert  To  well  reputed. 

DuL  Hatrh  he  not  a  fon  ? 

Val.  Ay,  my  good  lord  ;  a  fon,  that  well  deserves 
The  honour  and  regard  of  fuch  a  father. 
Duk.  You  know  him  well  ? 

Val.  I  knew  him  as  myfelf ;  for  from  our  infancy 
We  have  converf'd,  and  fpent  our  hours  together  : 
And  though  myfelf  have  been  an  idle  truant, 
Omitting  the  fweet  benefit  of  time 
To  cloath  mine  age  with  angel-like  perfection, 
Yet  hath  fir  Protheus  (for  that's  his  name) 
Made  ufe  and  fair  advantage  of  his  days  ; 
His  years  but  young,  but  his  experience  old  ; 
His  head  unmellow'd,  but  his  judgment  ripe  ; 
And,  in  a  word,  (for  far  behind  his  worth 
Come  all  the  praises  that  I  now  bellow) 
He  is  compleat  in  feature,  and  in  mind, 
With  all  good  grace  to  grace  a  gentleman. 

Duk.  Befhrew  me,  fir,  but,  if  he  make  this  good, 
He  is  as  worthy  for  an  emprefs'  love 
As  meet  to  be  an  emperor's  counfellor. 
Well,  fir ;  this  gentleman  is  come  to  me, 
With  commendation  from  great  potentates, 
And  here  he  means  to  fpend  his  time  a  while  : 
I  think,  'tis  no  unwelcome  news  to  you. 

Val.  Should  I  have  wifh'd  a  thing,  it  had  been  he, 

Duk    Welcome  him  then  according  to  his  worth; 
Silvia,  1  fpeak  to  you,  _  and  you,  fir  Tburio 
For  Valentine,  I  need  not  cite  him  to  it  : 
I'll  fend  him  hither  to  you  presently, 


18  Comes 


7be  two  Gentlemen  of  Verona. 


Val.  This  is  the  gentleman,  I  told  your  ladyfhip, 
Had  come  along  with  me,  bat  that  his  miftrefs 
Did  hold  his  eyes  lock'd  in  her  cryftal  looks. 

Sil.    Belike,  that  now  Hie  hath  enfranchis'd  them 
Upon  fome  other  pawn  for  fealty. 

Val  .  Nay,  fare,  I  think,  (he  holds  them  prisoners  dill; 

Sil.  Nay,  then  he  mould  be  blind;  And,  being  blind, 
How  could  he  fee  his  way  to  feek  out  you  ? 

Val .  Why,  lady,  love  hath  twenty  pair  of  eyes. 

T hu.  They  fay,  that  love  hath  not  an  eye  at  all. 

Val.  To  fee  fuch  lovers,  Tburio,  as  yourfelf ; 
Upon  a  homely  object  love  can  wink.  [man. 

Sil  .   Have  done,  have  done  ;  here  comes  the  gentle- 
£/i/^Protheus.  [vou, 

Val.  Welcome,  dear  Prcthcus /—  Miftrefs,  I  befeecli 
Confirm  his  welcome  with  fome  fpecial  favour. 

Sil.  His  worth  is  warrant  for  his  welcome  hither  ; 
If  this  be  he  you  oft  have  wiuYd  to  hear  from. 

Val  .  Miftrefs,  it  is  :  fweet  lady,  entertain  him 
To  be  my  fellow-fervant  to  your  ladyfhip. 

Sil.   Too  low  a  miftrefs  for  fo  high  a  fervant. 

Pro.  Not  fo,  fwee:  lady  ;  but  too  mean  a  fervant 
To  have  a  look  of  fuch  a  worthy  miftrefs. 

Val  .  Leave  off  difcourfe  of  difability  :  — 
Sweet  lady,  entertain  him  for  your  fervant. 

Pro.  My  duty  will  I  boaft  of,  nothing  elfe. 

Sil.  And  duty  never  yet  did  want  his  meed: 
Servant,  you  are  welcome  to  a  worthlefs  miftrefs. 

Pro.  I'll  die  on  him  that  fays  fo,  but  yourfelf. 

Sil  .    That  you  are  welcome,  fir  ? 

Pro.  That  vou  are  worthlefs. 

Enter  an  Attendant. 

3*  v.  Note, 


I 


%%.  The  two  Gentlemen  of  Verona, 

[you. 

Att.    Madam,  my  lord  your  father  would  fpeak  with 

Sil.    I  wait  upon  his  pleasure  Come,  fir  Tburio, 

Go  got!  with  me  :  Once  more,  new  fervant,  welcome  : 

Til  leave  you  to  confer  of  home  affairs ; 

When  you  have  done,  we  look  to  hear  from  you. 

Pro.  We'll  both  attend  upon  your  ladyfhip. 

[Exeunt  Silvia,  Thurio,  Speed,  and  Att. 

Val.  Now,  tell  me,  how  doallfrom  whenceyoucame? 

Pro.  Your  friends  are  well,  and  have  them  much 

Val.  And  how  do  yours  ?  [commended. 

Pro.  I  left  them  all  in  health. 

Val  .  How  does  your  lady  ?  and  how  thrives  your  love? 

Pro.  My  tales  of  love  were  wont  to  weary  you  ; 
I  know,  you  joy  not  in  a  love-difcourfe. 

Val.  Ay,  Protheusy  but  that  life  is  alter'd  now  : 
I  have  done  penance  for  contemning  love  ; 
Whose  high  imperious  thoughts  have  punifh'd  me 
With  bitter  falls,  with  penitential  groans, 
With  nightly  tears,  and  daily  heart-fore  fighs ; 
For,  in  revenge  of  my  contempt  of  love, 
Love  hath  chac'd  fleep  from  my  enthralled  eyes, 
And  made  them  watchers  of  mine  own  heart's  forrow. 
O  gentle  Protheus,  love's  a  mighty  lord; 
And  hath  fo  humblM  me,  as,  1  confefs, 
There  is  no  woe  to  his  correction  ; 
Nor,  to  his  fervice,  no  fuch  joy  on  earth  ! 
Now,  no  difcourfe,  except  it  be  of  love  ; 
Now  can  I  break  my  faft,  dine,  fup,  and  fleep, 
Upon  the  very  naked  name  of  love. 

Pro.  Enough  ;  I  read  your  fortune  in  your  eye  : 
Was  this  the  idol  that  you  worlhip  fo  ? 

Val.  Even  me ;  And  is  me  not  a  heavenly  faint  I 


TtJe  two  Gentlemen  of  Verona. 


*9 


Pro.  No  ,  but  fhe  is  an  earthly  paragon. 

Val.  Call  her  divine. 

Pro.  I  will  not  flatter  her. 

Val.  O,  flatter  me ;  for  love  delights  in  praise. 

Pro.  When  I  was  fick,  you  gave  me  bitter  pills  ; 
And  I  mutt  miniller  the  like  to  you. 

Val.  Then  fpeak  the  truth  by  her;  if  not  divine. 
Yet  let  her  be  a  principality, 
Sovereign  to  all  the  creatures  on  the  earth. 

Pro.  Except  my  miftrefs. 

Val.  Sweet,  except  not  any  ; 
Except  thou  wilt  except  againft  my  love. 

Pro.  Have  I  not  reason  to  prefer  mine  own  ? 

Val.  And  I  will  help  thee  to  prefer  her  too  : 
She  mall  be  dignify'd  with  this  high  honour,— 
To  bear  my  lady's  train  ;  left  the  bale  earth 
Should  from  her  vefture  chance  to  iteal  a  kifs, 
And,  of  fo  great  a  favour  growing  proud, 
Difdain  to  root  the  fummer-fwelling  flower, 
And  make  rough  winter  everlaftingly. 

Pro.  Why,  Valentine^  what  bragadism  is  this? 

Val.  Pardon  me,  Protheus :  all  L  can  is  nothing 
To  her  whose  worth  makes  other  worthies  nothing  ; 
She  is  alone  — 

Pro.  2(H£j?t  then  let  her  alone. 

Val  .  Not  for  the  world :  why,  man,  fhe  is  mine  own ; 
And  1  as  rich  in  having  fuch  a  jewel, 
As  twenty  feas,  if  all  their  fand  were  pearl, 
The  water  nectar,  and  the  rocks  pure  gold. 
Forgive  me,  that  I  do  not  dream  on  thee, 
Because  thou  fee'll:  me  doat  upon  my  love. 
My  foolilh  rival,  that  her  father  likes, 


The  two  Gentlemen  ifYtwHk 


Only  for  his  possefhons  are  fo  huge, 

Is  gone  with  her  along ;  and  I  muft  after ; 

For  love,  thou  know'ft,  is  full  of  jealoufy. 

Pro.  But  fhe  loves  you  ? 

Val.  Ay,  and  we  are  betroth'd  ; 
Nay,  mere,       lprotl;eu0>  our  marriage  hour, 
With  all  the  cunning  manner  of  our  flight, 
Dete'rmin'd  of:  how  I  muft  climb  her  window ; 
The  ladder  made  of  cords  ;  and  all  the  means 
Plotted,  and  'greed  on,  for  my  happinefs. 
Good  Protheus,  go  with  me  to  my  chamber, 
In  these  affairs  to  aid  me  with  thy  counfel. 

Pro.  Go  on  before  ;  I  (hall  enquire  you  forth  : 
I  muft  unto  the  road,  to  difembarque 
Some  rreceflaries  that  I  needs  muft  use, 
And  then  I'll  presently  attend  an  you. 

Val.  Will  you  make  hafte  ? 

Pro.  .twill.-—  [foV  Valentin*, 

Even  as  one  heat  another  heat  expels, 
Or  as  one  nail  by  ftrength  drives  out  another, 
So  the  remembrance  of  my  former  love 
Is  by  a  newer  object  quite  forgotten. 
Is  it  mine  oftm,  or  Valentino's  praise, 
Her  true  perfection,  or  my  falfe  tranfgreflion, 
That  makes  me,  reasonlefs,  to  reason  thus  ? 
She's  fair  ;  and  fo  is  Julia  that  I  love  ;  — 
That  I  did  love  ;  for  now  my  love  is  thaw'd, 
Which,  like  a  waxen  image  'gainft  a  fire, 
Bears  no  impreffion  of  the  thing  it  was. 
Methinks,  my  zeal  to  Valentine  is  cold, 
And  that  I  love  him  not  as  I  was  wont  j 
O,  but  I  love  his  lady  too  too  much  ; 


The  two  Gentlemen  ^Verona. 


3* 


And  that's  the  reason  I  love  him  fo  little. 

How  mail  I  doat  on  her  with  more  advice, 

That  thus  without  advice  begin  to  love  her? 

'Tis  but  her  picture  I  have  yet  beheld, 

And  that  hath  dazzl'd  my  reason's  light ; 

But  when  I  look  on  her  perfections, 

There  is  no  reason  but  I  fhall  be  blind. 

If  I  can  check  my  erring  love,  I  will ; 

If  not,  to  compafs  her  I'll  use  my  (kill j  [Exit. 

SCENE  V.  Tie  fame.  J  Street. 
Enter  Speed,  and  Launce,  meeting. 

Spe.  Launce!  by  mine  honefty,  welcome  to  Milan. 

Lau.  Forfwear  not  thyfelf,  fweet  youth  ;  for  I  am  not 
welcome.  I  reckon  this  always—That  a  man  is  never  un- 
done, 'till  he  be  hang'd ;  nor  never  welcome  to  a  place,  'till 
fome  certain  mot  be  pa\?,d,and  the  hoftefs  fay,  welcome. 

Spe.  Come  on,  you  mad-cap,  I'll  to  the  ale-houfe 
with  you  presently;  where,  for  one  mot  of  five  pence, 
thou  malt  have  five  thousand  welcomes.  But,  firrah,  how 
did  thy  mailer  part  with  madam  Julia  ? 

Lau.  Marry,  after  they  clos'd  in  earneft,  they  parted 
very  fairly  in  jeft. 

Spe.  But  mall  me  marry  him  ? 

Lau.  No. 

Spe.  How  then  ?  fhall  he  marry  her  ? 
Lau.  No,  neither. 
Spe.  What,  are  they  broken  ? 
Lau.  No,  they  are  both  as  whole  as  a  fifli. 
Spe.  Why  then,  how  (lands  the  matter  with  them? 
Lau.  Marry,  thus ;  when  it  flands  well  with  him.  it 
ftands  well  with  her. 


**  to  Padua 


32 


The  tvuo  Gentlemen  of  Verond. 


Spe.  What  an  afs  art  thou?  I  underftand  thee  not. 
Lau.  What  a  block  art  thou,  that  thou  can'ft  not  ? 
my  ftaff  underftaneis  me. 
Spe.  What  thou  fay'ft? 

Lau.  Ay,  and  what  I  do  too  :  look  thee,  I'll  but  lean, 
and  my  ftaff  underftands  me. 

Spe.  It  ftands  under  thee,  indeed. 

Lau.  Why,  ftand-under  and  under-ftand  is  all  one. 

Spe.  But,  tell  me  true,  will't  be  a  match  ? 

Lau.  Afk  my  dog  :  if  he  fay,  ay,  it  will ;  if  he  fay, 
no,  it  will ;  if  he  fhake  his  tail,  and  fay  nothing,  it  will. 

Spe.  The  conclusion  is  then,  that  it  will. 

Lau.  Thou  malt  never  get  fuch  a  fecret  from  me,  but 
by  a  parable. 

Spe.  'Tis  well,  that  I  get  it  fo.  But  Launce,  how  fay'ft 
thou,  that  my  mafter  is  become  a  notable  lover  ? 
Lau,  I  never  knew  him  otherwise. 
Spe.  Than  how? 

Lau.  A  notable  lubber,  as  thou  reporter!  him  to  be. 

Spe.  Why,  thou  whorion  afs,  thou  miftak'ft  me. 

Lau.  Why,  fool,  I  meant  not  thee ;  [meant  thy  mafter. 

Spe.  I  tell  thee,  my  mailer  is  become  a  hot  lover. 

Lau.  Why,  I  tell  thee,  I  care  not  though  he  burn 
himfelf  in  love.  If  thou  wilt  go  with  me  to  the  ale- 
houfe,  fo  ;  if  not,  tho?'  art  an  Hebrew,  a  Je<w,  and  not 
worth  the  name  of  a  chriilian. 

Spe.  Why? 

Lau.  Because  thou  haft  not  fo  much  charity  in  thee 
as  to  go  to  the  ale  with  a  chriftian  .  Wilt  thou  go  ? 
Spe.  At  thy  fervice.  \Exeuni. 

S  CENE  VI.  The  fame.  A  Room  in  the  Palace* 


The  t<wo  Gentlemen  of  Verona. 

Enter  P rot hevs. 
Pro.  To  leave  my  Julia,  (hall  I  be  forfworn ; 
To  love  fair  Silvia,  fhall  I  be  forfworn ; 
To  wrong  my  friend,  I  fhall  be  much  forfworn  ; 
And  even  that  power,  which  gave  me  firft  my  oath 
Provokes  me  to  this  threefold  perjury  : 
Love  bad  me  fwear,  and  love  bids  me  forfwear : 

0  fweet  fuggefting  love,  if  thou  haft  fin'd, 
Teach  me,  thy  tempted  fubjecl,  to  excuse  it ! 
At  firft  I  did  adore  a  twinkling  ftar, 

But  now  I  worfhip  a  celeftial  fun  : 
Unheedful  vows  may  heedfully  be  broken  ; 
And  he  wants  wit,  that  wants  resolved  will 
To  learn  his  wit  to  exchange  the  bad  for  better:  — 
Fie,  fie,  unreverend  tongue!  to  call  her  bad, 
Whose  fovereignty  fo  oft  thou  haft  prefer'd 
With  twenty  thousand  foul- confirming  oaths. 

1  cannot  leave  to  love,  and  yet  I  do ; 
But  there  I  leave  to  love,  where  I  mould  love. 
Julia  I  lose,  and  Valentine  I  lose  : 
If  I  keep  them,  I  needs  muft  lose  myfelf ; 
If  I  lose  them,  This  find  I  by  their  lofs,— 
For  Valentine,  myfelf ;  for  Julia,  Silvia. 
I  to  myfelf  am  dearer  than  a  friend  ; 
For  love  is  ftill  moft  precious  in  itfelf : 
And  Silvia  (witnefs  heaven,  that  made  her  fair) 
Shews  Julia  but  a  fwarthy  Etbiope. 
I  will  forget  that  Julia  is  alive, 
Remembring  that  my  love  to  her  is  dead  ; 
And  Valentine  Til  hold  an  enemy, 
Aiming  at  Silvia  as  a  fweeter  friend. 
I  cannot  now  prove  conftant  to  myfelf, 


Vol,  I. 


12  thus 


The  two  Gentlemen  of  Verona, 


Without  fome  treachery  us'd  to  Valentine  ;  — 

This  night,  he  meaneth  with  a  corded  ladder 

To  climb  celeftial  Silvia's  chamber-window  ; 

Myfelf  in  counfel,  his  competitor  : 

Now  presently  FH  give  her  father  notice 

Of  their  difguising,  and  pretended  flight ; 

Who,  all  enrag'd,  will  banim  Valentine  ; 

For  Tburio,  he  intends,  fhall  wed  his  daughter  : 

But,  Valentine  being  gone,  I'll  quickly  crofs, 

By  fome  fly  trick,  blunt  Thurio's  dull  proceeding. 

Love,  lend  me  wings  to  make  my  purpose  fwift, 

As  thou  hail:  lent  me  wit  to  plot  this  drift !  [Exit., 

SCENE  VII.  Verona.  A  Room  in  JuliaV  Houfe. 
Enter  Julia,  and  Lucetta. 

Jul.  Counfel,  Lucetta  ;  gentle  girl,  aflift  me! 
And,  even  in  kind  love,  I  do  conjure  thee,  — 
Who  art  the  table  wherein  all  my  thoughts 
Are  visibly  charadter'd  and  engrav'd,— 
To  leflbn  me ;  and  tell  me  fome  good  mean, 
How,  with  my  honour,  I  may  undertake 
A  journey  to  my  loving  Protheus. 

Luc.  Alas,  she  way  is  wearifome  and  long. 

Jul.  A  true-devoted  pilgrim  is  not  weary 
To  measure  kingdoms  with  his  feeble  fleps  ; 
Much  lefs  fhall  me,  that  hath  love's  wings  to  fly  ; 
And  when  the  flight  is  made  to  one  fo  de,ar, 
Of  fuch  divine  perfection,  as  fir  Protheus. 

Luc.  Better  forbear,  'till  Protheus  make  return. 

Jul  .  0,-know'ft  thou  not,  his  looks  are  my  foul's  food? 
Pity  the  dearth  that  I  have  pined  in, 
By  longing  for  that  food  fo  long  a  time, 


7he  two  Gentlemen  ^Verona.  35 


Didft  thou  but  know  the  inly  touch  of  love, 
Thou  would'ft  as  foon  go  kindle  fire  with  fnow, 
As  feek  to  quench  the  fire  of  love  with  words. 

Luc.  I  do  not  feek  to  quench  your  love's  hot  fire; 
But  qualify  the  fire's  extream  rage, 
Left  it  fhould  burn  above  the  bounds  of  reason. 

Jul.  The  more  thou  dam'ft  it  up,  the  more  it  burns: 
The  current,  that  with  gentle  murmur  glides, 
Thou  know'ft,  being  ftop'd,  impatiently  doth  rage; 
But,  when  his  fair  courfe  is  not  hindered, 
He  makes  fweet  musick  with  th'  enamel'd  ftones, 
Giving  a  gentle  kifs  to  every  fedge 
He  overtake  th  in  his  pilgrimage  ; 
And  fo  by  many  winding  nooks  he  ftrays* 
With  willing  fport*  to  the  wild  ocean. 
Then  let  me  go,  and  hinder  not  my  courfe : 
I'll  be  as  patient  as  a  gentle  llream, 
And  make  a  paftime  of  each  weary  ftep, 
'Till  the  lalt  ftep  have  brought  me  to  my  love, 
And  there  I'll  reft  ;  as,  after  much  turmoil, 
A  bleffed  foul  doth  in  Elysium. 

Luc.  But  in  what  habit  will  you  go  along  ? 

Jul.  Not  like  a  woman ;  for  I  would  prevent 
The  loofe  encounters  of  lafcivious  men  : 
Gentle  Lucetta,  fit  me  with  fuch  weeds 
As  may  befeem  fome  well-reputed  page. 

Luc.   Why,  then  your  ladylhip  mull  cut  your  hair, 

Jul.  No,  girl ;  I'll  knit  it  up  in  filken  firings* 
With  twenty  odd- conceited  true-love  knots  : 
To  be  fantaftick,  may  become  a  youth 
Of  greater  time  than  I  fhall  mew  to  be.  [ches  ? 

Luc .   What  fafnion,  madam,  fhall  I  make  your  bree- 

H  z 


36  The  two  Gentlemen  a/"  Verona. 


Jul.  That  fits  as  well,  as,  Tell  me,  good  my  lord, 

What  compafs  will  you  wear  your  farthingale  ?  

Why,  e'en  what  fafhion  thou  beft  lik'ft,  Lucetta.  [dam. 

Luc .  Youmuft  needs  have  them  with  a  cod-piece,  ma- 

Jul.  Out,  out,  Lucetta!  that  will  be  ill-favour'd.  , 

Luc.  A  round  hose,  madam,  now's  not  worth  a  pin, 
Unlefs  you  have  a  cod-piece  to  ftick  pins  on. 

Jul.  Lucetta,  as  thou  lov'ft  me,  let  me  have 
What  thou  think'ft  meet,  and  is  moft  mannerly. 
But  tell  me,  wench,  how  will  the  world  repute  me, 
For  undertaking  fo  unftay'd  a  journey  ? 
I  fear  me,  it  will  make  me  fcandaliz'd. 

Luc.  If  you  think  fo,  then  ftay  at  home,  and  go  not 

Jul.  Nay,  that  I  will  not. 

Luc.  Then  never  dream  on  infamy,  but  go  : 
If  Protbeus  like  your  journey,  when  you  come, 
No  matter  who's  difpleas'd,  when  you  are  gone ; 
I  fear  me,  he  will  fcarce  be  pleas'd  withal. 

Jul  .  That  is  the  leaft,  Lucetta>  of  my  fear  : 
A  thousand  oaths,  an  ocean  of  his  tears, 
And  inftances  of  infinite  of  love, 
Warrant  me  welcome  to  my  Protbeus. 

Luc.  All  these  are  fervants  to  deceitful  men. 

Jul.  Bafe  men,  that  use  them  to  fo  bafe  effeft  f 
But  truer  ftars  did  govern  Protbeus'  birth  : 
His  words  are  bonds,  his  oaths-  are  oracles ; 
His  love  fincere,  his  thoughts  immaculate  ; 
His  tears,  pure  meflengers  fent  from  his  heart ; 
His  heart  as  far  from  fraud,  as  heaven  from  earth. 
Luc.  Pray  heaven,  he  prove  fo,  when  you  come  to  him ! 
Jul.  Now,  as  thou  lov'ft  me,  do  him  not  that  wrongs 
To  bear  a  hard  opinion  of  his  truth : 


•3  likes 


The  two  Gentlemen  of  Verona, 


57 


Only  deserve  my  love,  by  loving  him  ; 

And  presently  go  with  me  to  my  chamber, 

To  take  a  note  of  what  I  ftand  in  need  of, 

To  furnifh  me  upon  my  longing  journey  : 

All  that  is  mine  I  leave  at  thy  difpose, 

My  goods,  my  lands,  my  reputation  ; 

Only,  in  lieu  thereof,  difpatch  me  hence : 

Come,  anfvver  not,  but  to  it  presently ; 

I  am  impatient  of  my  tarriance.  [Exeunt* 


act:  hi. 

SCENE  I.  Milan.  Anti-room  of  the  Palace. 
Enter  Duke,  Protheus^  andThuxio. 

Duk.  Sir  Tburio,  give  us  leave,  I  pray,  a  while ; 
We  have  fome  fecrets  to  confer  about.— 

[Exit  Thurio, 
Now,  tell  me,  Prctbeus,  what's  your  will  with  me  ? 

Pro.  My  gracious  lord,  that  which  I  would  difcover, 
The  law  of  friendfhip  bids  me  to  conceal : 
But,  when  I  call  to  mind  your  gracious  favours 
Done  to  me,  undeserving  as  I  am, 
My  duty  pricks  me  on  to  utter  that 
Which  elfe  no  worldly  good  mould  draw  from  me. 
Know,  worthy  prince,  fir  Valentine  my  friend 
This  night  intends  to  ileal  away  your  daughter; 
Myfelf  am  one  made  privy  to  the  plot : 
I  know,  you  have  determin'd  to  beftow  her 
On  Thurio,  whom  your  gentle  daughter  hates ; 
And,  mould  me  thus  be  ftoln  away  from  you,, 
It  would  be  much  vexation  to  your  age  : 


38 


The  two  Gentlemen  of  Verona. 


Thus,  for  my  duty's  fake,  I  rather  chose 
To  crofs  my  friend  in  his  intended  drift ; 
Than,  by  concealing  it,  heap  on  your  head 
A  pack  of  forrows,  which  would  prefs  you  down, 
Being  unprevented,  to  your  timelefs  grave. 

Duk.   Protbeus,  1  thank  thee  for  thine  honeft  care  ; 
Which  to  requite,  command  me  while  I  live. 
This  love  of  theirs  myfelf  have  often  feen, 
Haply  when  they  have  judg'd  me  fall  afleep ; 
And  oftentimes  have  purpos'd  to  forbid 
Sir  Valentine  her  company,  and  my  court : 
But,  fearing  left  my  jealous  aim  might  err, 
And  fo  unworthily  difgrace  the  man, 
(A  rafhnefs  that  I  ever  yet  have  mun'd) 
1  gave  him  gentle  looks ;  thereby  to  find 
That  which  thy felf  haft  now  difclos'd  to  me. 
And,  that  thou  may'ft  perceive  my  fear  of  this, 
Knowing  that  tender  youth  is  foon  fuggefted, 
I  nightly  lodge  her  in  an  upper  tower, 
The  key  whereof  myfelf  have  ever  kept ; 
And  thence  {he  cannot  be  convey'd  away. 

Pro.  Know,  noble  lord,  they  have  devis'd  a  mean 
How  he  her  chamber-window  will  afcend, 
And  with  a  corded  ladder  fetch  her  down  : 
For  which  the  youthful  lover  now  is  gone, 
And  this  way  comes  he  with  it  presently ; 
Where,  if  it  please  you,  you  may  intercept  him. 
But,  good  my  lord,  do  it  fo  cunningly, 
That  my  difcovery  be  not  aimed  at ; 
For  love  of  you,  not  hate  unto  my  friend, 
Hath  made  me  publifher  of  this  pretence. 

Duk,  Upon  mine  honour,  he  fhall  never  know 


The  two  Gent ie men  of  Verona.  5y 

That  I  had  any  light  from  thee  of  this. 

Pro.  Adieu,  my  lord;  fir  Valentine  is  coming. 

[Exit  ProtheuSc 
Enter  Valentine. 

Duk.  $\r  Valentine,  whither  away  fo  faft  ? 

V al .  Please  it  your  grace,  there  is  a  meflenger 
That  ftays  to  bear  my  letters  to  my  friends, 
And  I  am  going  to  deliver  them. 

Duk.  Be  they  of  much  import? 

Val.  The  tenour  of  them  doth  but  fignify 
My  health,  and  happy  being  at  your  court. 

Duk.  Nay,  then  no  matter,  ltay  with  me  a  while  ; 
I  am  to  break  with  thee  of  fome  affairs 
That  touch  me  near,  wherein  thou  mud  be  fecret. 
'Tis  not  unknown  to  thee,  that  I  have  fought 
To  match  my  friend  fir  Tburio  to  my  daughter. 

Val.  I  know  it  well,  my  lord;  and,  fure,  the  match 
Were  rich  and  honourable ;  befides,  the  gentleman 
Is  full  of  virtue,  bounty,  worth,  and  qualities 
Befeeming  fuch  a  wife  as  your  fair  daughter : 
Cannot  your  grace  win  her  to  fancy  him  ? 

Duk.  No,  trull  me ;  me  is  peevifh,  fullen,  froward, 
Proud,  difobedient,  ftubborn,  lacking  duty ; 
Neither  regarding  that  £he  is  my  child, 
Nor  fearing  me  as  if  I  were  her  father  : 
And,  may  i  fay  to  thee,  this  pride  of  hers, 
Upon  advice,  hath  drawn  my  love  from  her; 
And,  where  1  thought  the  remnant  of  mine  age 
Should  have  been  cheriih'd  by  her  child-like  duty, 
I  now  am  full  resolv'd  to  take  a  wife, 
And  turn  her  out  to  who  will  take  her  in  : 
Th?n  let  her  beauty  be  her  wedding-dower; 


40  The  t<wo  Gentlemen  of  Verona. 

For  me,  and  my  possesions,  fhe  efteems  not. 

Val.  What  would  your  grace  have  me  to  do  in  this? 

Duk.  There  is  a  lady,  fir,  in  Milan  here, 
Whom  I  affecl  ;  but  fhe  is  nice,  and  coy, 
And  nought  efteems  my  aged  eloquence  : 
Now,  therefore,  would  I  have  thee  to  my  tutor, 
(For  long  agone  I  have  forgot  to  court ; 
Befides,  the  fafhion  of  the  time  is  chang'd) 
How,  and  which  way,  I  may  beftow  myfelf, 
To  be  regarded  in  her  fun-bright  eye. 

Val.  Win  her  with  gifts,  if  fhe  refped  not  words; 
Dumb  jewels  often,  in  their  filent  kind, 
More  than  quick  words  do  move  a  woman's  mind. 

Duk.  But  fhe  did  fcorn  a  present  that  I  fent  her. 

Val.  A  woman  fometimes  fcorns  what  beft  contents 
Send  her  another;  never  give  her  o'er  ;  [her  : 

For  fcorn  at  firft  makes  after-love  the  more. 
If  fhe  do  frown,  'tis  not  in  hate  of  you  ; 
But,  rather,  to  beget  more  love  in  you  : 
If  fhe  do  chide,  'tis  not  to  have  you  gone  ; 
For  why,  the  fools  are  mad,  if  left  alone  : 
Take  no  repulfe,  whatever  fhe  doth  fay ; 
For,  Get  you  gone fhe  doth  not  mean,  away. 
Flatter,  and  praise,  commend,  extol  their  graces ; 
Though  ne'er  fo  black,  fay,  they  have  angels'  faces. 
That  man  that  hath  a  tongue,  I  fay,  is  no  man, 
If  with  his  tongue  he  cannot  win  a  woman. 

Duk.  But  fhe  I  mean,  is  promis'd  by  her  friends 
Unto  a  youthful  gentleman  of  worth  ; 
And  kept  feverely  from  resort  of  men, 
That  no  man  hath  accefs  by  day  to  her. 

Val.  Why,  then  I  would  resort  to  her  by  night. 


3  Lady  in  Verona  here 


The  two  Gentlemen  of  Verona. 


Duk.  Ay,  but  the  doors  be  lock'd,  and  keys  kept  fafe, 
That  no  man  hath  recourfe  to  her  by  night. 

Val.  What  lets,  but  one  may  enter  at  her  window? 

Duk.  Her  chamber  is  aloft,  far  from  the  ground ; 
And  built  fo  lhelving,  that  one  cannot  climb  it 
Without  apparent  hazard  of  his  life. 

Val.  Why,  then  a  ladder,  quaintly  made  of  cords, 
To  caft  up,  with  a  pair  of  anchoring  hooks, 
Would  ferve  to  fcale  another  Hero's  tower, 
So  bold  Leander  would  adventure  it. 

Duk.  Now,  as  thou  art  a  gentleman  of  blood, 
Advise  me  where  I  may  have  fuch  a  ladder. 

Val.  When  would  you  use  it  ?  pray,  fir,  tell  me  that. 

Duk.  This  very  night ;  for  love  is  like  a  child, 
That  longs  for  every  thing  that  he  can  come  by. 

Val,  By  feven  o'clock  Til  get  you  fuch  a  ladder. 

Duk.  But  hark  thee ;  I  will  go  to  her  alone, 
How  fhall  I  beft  convey  the  ladder  thither? 

Val.  It  will  be  light,  my  lord ;  that  you  may  bear  it 
Under  a  cloak,  that  is  of  any  length. 

Duk.  A  clcak  as  long  as  thine  will  ferve  the  turn  ? 

Val.  Ay,  my  good  lord. 

Duk.  Then  let  me  fee  thy  cloak  ; 
I'll  get  me  one  of  fuch  another  length. 

Val.  Why,  any  cloak  will  ferve  the  turn,  my  lord. 

Duk.  How  fhall  I  fafnion  me  to  wear  a  cloak  ?  

I  pray  thee,  let  me  feel  thy  ~|~  cloak  upon  me  

What  letter  is  this  fame  ?  What's  here  ?  To  Silvia  ? 
And  here  an  engine  fit  for  my  proceeding! 
HI  be  fo  bold  to  break  the  feal  for  once.  [reads. 
My  thoughts  do  harbour  with  my  Silvia  nightly ; 
And  flaues  they  are  to  me,  that  fend  them  flying: 


42  The  two  Gentlemen  of  Verona, 


O,  cculd  their  mafler  come  and  go  as  lightly, 

HimJ elf  would  lodge  where  Jerrjelejs  they  arc  lying. 

My  herald  thoughts  in  thy  pure  bosom  reft  the?n  ; 
While  I,  their  king,  that  thither  them  importune, 

Do  curje  the  grace  that  with  juch  grace  hath  hleft  them, 
Because  my f elf  do  want  my  J er  wants'  fortune : 

1  curfe  mvfelf,  for  they  are  fent  by  me, 

That  they  Jhould  harbour  where  their  lord  would  be. 
What's  here  ? 

Silvia,  this  night  I  will  enfranchise  thee. 
9Tis  fo  ;  and  here's  the  ladder  for  the  purpose.  — 
Why,  Phaeton,  (for  thou  art  Merops'  fon) 
Wilt  thou  afpire  to  guide  the  heavenly  car, 
And  with  thy  daring  folly  burn  the  world  ? 
Wilt  thou  reach  ftars,  because  they  fhine  on  thee? 
Go,  bafe  intruder  !  over-weening  flave  ! 
Beftow  thy  fawning  fmiles  on  equal  mates  ; 
And  think,  my  patience,  more  than  thy  desert, 
Is  priviledge  for  thy  departure  hence  : 
Thank  me  for  this,  more  than  for  all  the  favours, 
Which,  all  too  much,  I  have  beftow'd  on  thee. 
But  if  thou  linger  in  my  territories 
Longer  than  fwifteft  expedition 
Will  give  thee  time  to  leave  our  royal  court, 
By  heaven,  my  wrath  mail  far  exceed  the  love 
I  ever  bore  my  daughter,  or  thyfelf. 
Be  gone,  I  will  not  hear  thy  vain  excufe; 
But,  as  thou  lov'ft  thy  life,  make  fpeed  from  hence. 

[Exit  Duke. 

Val  .  And  why  not  death,  rather  than  living  torment? 
To  die,  is  to  be  banifti'd  from  myfelf ; 
And  Sifaia  is  myfelf :  banifh'd  from  her, 


I'he  two  Gcntluncn  of  Verona. 


43 


Is  felf  from  felf ;  A  deadly  banifhment ! 
What  light  is  light,  if  Silvia  be  not  feen  ? 
What  joy  is  joy,  if  Silvia  be  not  by? 
Unlefs  it  be,  to  think  that  fhe  is  by, 
And  feed  upon  the  fhadow  of  perfection. 
Except  I  be  by  Silvia  in  the  night, 
There  is  no  musick  in  the  nightingale  ; 
Unlefs  I  look  on  Silvia  in  the  day, 
There  is  no  day  for  me  to  look  upon  : 
She  is  my  effence ;  and  I  leave  to  be, 
Jf  J  be  not  by  her  fair  influence 
Fofter'd,  illumin'd,  cherinYd,  kept  alive. 
I  fly  not  death,  to  fly  his  deadly  doom  : 
Tarry  I  here,  I  but  attend  on  death  ; 
But,  fly  I  hence,  I  fly  away  from  life. 

Enter  Protheus,  and  Launce. 

Pro.  Run,  boy,  run,  run,  and  feek  him  out. 

Lau.  So-ho  !  fo-ho  ! 

Pro.  What  fee'ft  thou  ? 

Lau.  Him  we  go  to  find ;  there's  not  a  hair  on's  head, 
but  'tis  a  Valentine. 
Pro.  Valentine? 
Val.  No. 

Pro.  Who  then  ?  his  fpirit  ? 
Val.  Neither. 
Pro.  What  then  ? 
Val.  Nothing. 

Lav.  Can  nothing  fpeak  ?  _  Mafter,  fhall  I  ftrike  ? 
Pro.  Whom  would'ft  thou  ftrike  ?  ' 
Lau.  Nothing. 
Pro.  Villain,  forbear. 

Lau.  Why,  fir,  I'll  ftrike  nothing  :  I  pray  you. 


44 


The  two  Gentlemen  of  Verona. 


Pro.  Sirra,  T  fay,  forbear.  _  Friend  Valentine,  a  word . 

Val.  My  ears  are  ftopt,  and  cannot  hear  good  news, 
So  much  of  bad  already  hath  posseft  them. 

Pro.  Then  in  dumb  filence  will  I  bury  mine  ; 
For  they  are  harm,  untunable,  and  bad. 

Val.  Is  Silvia  dead  ? 

Pro.  No,  Valentine. 

Val.  No  Valentine,  indeed,  for  facred  Silvia :  — . 
Hath  fhe  forfworn  me  ? 
Pro.  No,  Valentine. 

Val.  No  Valentine,  if  Silvia  have  forfworn  me.  _ 
What  is  your  news  ? 

Lau.  Sir,  there  is  a  proclamation  ,'that  you  are  vani  (h'd. 

Pro.  That  thou  art  baniuYd,  o,  that  is  the  news, 
From  hence,  from  Silvia,  and  from  me  thy  friend. 

Val  .  O,  I  have  fed  upon  this  woe  already, 
And  now  excefs  of  it  will  make  me  furfeit. 
Doth  Silvia  know  that  I  am  banifhed  ? 

Pro.  Ay,  ay  ;  and  (he  hath  offer'd  to  the  doom, 
(Which,  unreverf'd,  ftands  in  effe&ual  force) 
A  fea  of  melting  pearl,  which  fome  call  tears  : 
Those  at  her  father's  churlifh  feet  (he  tender'd ; 
With  them,  upon  her  knees,  her  humble  felf ; 
Wringing  her  hands,  whose  whitenefs  fo  became  them. 
As  if  but  now  they  waxed  pale  for  woe  : 
But  neither  bended  knees,  pure  hands  held  up, 
Sad  fighs,  deep  groans,  nor  filver-fhedding  tears, 
Could  penetrate  her  uncompaffionate  fire ; 
But  Valentine,  if  he  be  ta'en,  muft  die. 
Befides,  her  interceflion  chaf 'd  him  fo, 
When  Ihe  for  thy  repeal  was  fuppliant, 
That  to  clofe  prison  he  commanded  her, 


The  two  Gentlemen  of  Verona, 


« 


With  many  bitter  threats  of 'biding  there. 

Val.  No  more;  unlefs  the  next  word  that  thou  fpeak'ft 
Have  fome  malignant  power  upon  my  life  : 
If  fo,  I  pray  thee,  breath  it  in  mine  ear, 
As  ending  anthem  of  my  endlefs  dolour. 

Pro.  Ceafe  to  lament  for  that  thou  canft  not  help, 
And  ftudy  help  for  that  which  thou  lament'lt. 
Time  is  the  nurfe  and  breeder  of  all  good. 
Here  if  thou  flay,  thou  canir,  not  fee  thy  love  ; 
Befides,  thy  flaying  will  abridge  thy  life : 
Hope  is  a  lover's  ftafF;  walk  hence  with  that, 
And  manage  it  againft  defpairing  thoughts : 
Thy  letters  may  be  here,  though  thou  art  hence ; 
Which,  being  writ  to  me,  fhall  be  deliver'd 
Even  in  the  milk-white  bosom  of  thy  love. 
The  time  now  ferves  not  to  expoftulate : 
Come,  I'll  convey  thee  through  the  city-gate ; 
And,  ere  I  part  with  thee,  confer  at  large 
Of  all  that  may  concern  thy  love-affairs : 
As  thou  lov'ft  Silvia,  though  not  for  thyfelf, 
Regard  thy  danger,  and  along  with  me. 

Val.  1  pray  thee,  Launce,  an  if  thou  fee'ft  my  boy. 
Bid  him  make  hafte  and  meet  me  at  the  north-gate. 

Pro.  Go,  firra,  find  him  out  :_Come,  Valentine. 

VaL.  O  my  fear  Silvia  !  haplefs  Valentine  ! 

[Exeunt  Valentine,  and  Protheus. 

Lau*  I  am  but  a  fool,  look  you;  and  yet  I  have 
the  wit  to  think,  my  mailer  is  a  kind  of  a  knave  :  but 
that's  all  one,  if  he  be  but  one  knave.  He  lives  not 
now,  that  knows  me  to  be  in  love  :  yet  I  am  in  love  ; 
but  a  team  of  horfe  (hall  not  pluck  that  from  me :  nor 
who  'ti-s  I  love  ;  and  yet  'tis  a  woman  :  but  what 


The  t<wo  Gentlemen  of  Verona. 


woman,  I  will  not  tell  myfelf;  and  yet 'tis  a  milk- 
maid :  yet  'tis  not  a  maid  ;  for  fhe  hath  had  goflips  : 
yet  'tis  a  maid ;  for  fhe  is  her  matter's  maid,  and 
ferves  for  wages.  She  hath  more  qualities  than  a 
water- fpaniel,  — -  which  is  much  in  a  bare  chriftian  : 
here  is  [pulling  cut  a  Paper. \  the  cat-log  of  her  con- 
ditions. Imprimis,  She  can  fetch  and  carry:  Why,  a 
horfe  can  do  no  more  :  nay,  a  horfe  cannot  fetch,  but 
only  carry;  therefore,  is  fhe  better  than  a  jade.  Item, 
She  can  milk,  look  you  ;  A  fvveet  virtue  in  a  maid  with 
clean  hands. 

Enter  Speed. 

Spe.  How  now,  fignior  Launce  ?  what  news  with 
your  maiterlhip  ? 

Lau.  With  my  mailer's  fhip  ?  why,  it  is  at  fea. 

Spe.  Well,  your  old  vice  Itill ;  millake  the  word  : 
What  news  then  in  your  paper  ? 

Lau.  The  blackeft  news  that  ever  thou  heard'it. 

Spe.  Why,  man,  how  black? 

Lau.  Why,  as  black  as  ink. 

Spe.  Let  me  read  them. 

Lau.  Fie  on  thee,  jolt-head  ;  thou  canft  not  read. 
Spe.  Thou  ly'ft,  1  can. 

Lau,  I  will  try  thee  :  Tell  me  this,  Who  begot  thee  ? 
Spe.  Marry,  the  fon  of  my  grandfather. 
Lau.  O  illiterate  loiterer  !  it  was  the  fon  of  thy 
grandmother  :  this  proves,  that  thou  canft  not  read. 
Spe.  Come,  fool,  come  ;  try  me  in  thy  paper. 
Lau.  There  =f= ;  And  faint  Nicholas  be  thy  fpeed  ! 
Spe.  Imprimis,  She  can  ?nilk.  [readj* 
Lau.  Ay,  that  fhe  can. 
Spe.  Item,  She  bre<ws  gcod  ale. 


1  Conditio::,    *S  Mafler/hip  ? 


The  tivo  Gentlemen  of  Verona. 


47 


Lav.  And  thereof  comes  the  proverb,  —  Bleffing  o' 
your  heart,  you  brew  good  ale. 
Spe.  Item,  She  can  fo<w. 
Lav.  That's  as  much  as  to  fay,  Can  fhe  fo? 
Spe.  Item,  She  can  knit, 

Lav.  What  need  a  man  care  for  a  dock  with  a  wench, 
when  me  can  knit  him  a  itock  ? 

S PE.  Item,  She  can  tvajb  and fcour. 

Lav.  A  fpecial  virtue  ;  lor  then  lhe  need  not  to  be 
wafli'd  and  fcour'd. 

Spe.  Item,  She  can  fpin. 

L-  u.  Then  may  !  fet  the  world  on  wheels,  when  (he 
can  fpin  for  her  living. 

S PE.  Item,  She  hath  many  namele's  virtues. 

Lav.  That's  as  much  as  to  fay,  baflard  virtues ;  that, 
indeed,  know  not  their  fathers,  and  therefore  have  no 
»ames. 

S  PE.  Here  follow  her  vices. 
Lav.  Clofe  at  the  heels  of  her  virtues. 
S pe.  Item,  She  is  not  to  he  kilTH  fajlingy  in  refpeel  of 
her  breath. 

Lav.  Well,  that  fault  may  be  mended  with  a  break- 
faft.  Read  on. 

S  PE.  Item,  She  hath  a  fwect  mouth. 

Lav.  That  makes  amends  for  her  four  breath. 

Spe.  Itemi,  She  doth  talk  in  her fleep.  [talk. 

Lav.  It's  no  matter  for  that,  fo  ihe  fleep  not  in  her 

Spe.  I Cem,  She  is JIouu  in  words. 

Lav.  O  villain,  that  fex  this  down  among  her  vices! 

To  be  flow  in  words,  is  a  woman's  only  virtue  :  I  pray 

thee,  out  with't ;  and  place  it  for  her  chief  virtue. 

S  pe.  Item,  She  is  proud. 


48 


The  two  Gentlemen  of  V crona. 


Lau.  Out  with  that  too ;  it  was  Eve's  legacy,  and 
cannot  be  ta'en  from  her. 
S  pe.  Item,  She  hath  no  teeth. 

Lau.  I  care  not  for  that  neither,  because  I  love  cruris* 
Spe.  Item,  She  is  curji. 

Lau.  Well,  the  beft  is,  me  hath  no  teeth  to  bite. 
Spe.  Item,  She  will  often  praise  her  liquor. 
Lau.  If  her  liquor  be  good,  fhe  mail :  if  me  will  not, 
I  will ;  for  good  things  mould  be  prais'd. 
Spe.  Item,  She  is  too  liberal. 

Lau.  Of  her  tongue  fhe  cannot ;  for  that's  writ  down 
me  is  flow  of :  of  her  purfe  me  {hall  not ;  for  that  I'll 
keep  fhut :  now,  of  another  thing  flie  may ;  and  that 
cannot  I  help.  Well,  proceed. 

Spe.  Item,  She  hath  more  hair  than  wit,  and  more 
faults  than  hairs,  and  more  wealth  than  faults. 

Lau.  Stop  there ;  I'll  have  her :  fhe  was  mine,  and 
not  mine,  twice  or  thrice  in  that  laft  article  :  Rehearfe 
that  once  more. 

Spe.  Item,  She  hath  ?nore  hair  than  wit, — 

Lau.  More  hair  than  wit,  —  it  may  be;  I'll  prove 
it :  The  cover  of  the  fait  hides  the  fait,  and  therefore 
it  is  more  than  the  fait :  the  hair,  that  covers  the  wit, 
is  more  than  the  wit ;  for  the  greater  hides  the  lefs. 
What's  next  ? 

Spe.  — and  more  faults  than  hairs, — 

Lau.  That's  monftrous;  O,  that  that  were  out  ! 

Spe.  — and  more  wealth  than  faults. 

Lau.  Why,  that  word  makes  the  faults  gracious. 
Well,  I'll  have  her  :  And  if  it  be  a  match,  as  nothing 
is  impoflible,  ~ 

Spe.  What  then  ? 


The  t<wo  Gentlemen  of  Verona. 


49 


Lav.  Why,  then  will  I  tell  thee,  —  that  thy  mafter 
flays  for  thee  at  the  north  gate. 
S  pe.  For  me  ? 

Lav.  For  thee  !  ay  ;  who  art  thou  ?  he  hath  flay'd  for 
a  better  man  than  thee. 

S pe.  And  muil  I  go  to  him  ? 

Lai/.  Thou  muft  run  to  him ;  for  thou  haft  ftay'd  fo 
long,  that  going  will  fcarce  ferve  the  turn, 

Spe.  Why  didit  not  tell  me  fooner  ?  'pox  of  your 
love-letters !  [Exit. 

Lav.  Now  will  he  be  fwing'd  for  reading  my  let- 
ter ;  An  unmannerly  flave,  that  will  thruft  him- 
felf  into  fecrets  !  Til  after,  to  rejoice  in  the  boy's  cor- 
rection. [Exit. 

SCENE  II.  The  fame.  A  Room  in  the  fame. 
Enter  Duke,  WThurio;  Protheus  behind. 

Duk.  Sir  Thurio,  fear  not,  but  that  Ihe  will  love  you. 
Now  Valentine  is  banifh'd  from  her  fight. 

Thv.  Since  his  exile  me  hath  defpis'd  me  moll, 
Forfworn  my  company,  and  rail'd  at  me, 
That  I  am  defperate  of  obtaining  her. 

Duk.  This  weak  imprefs  of  love  is  as  a  figure 
Trenched  in  ice  ;  which,  with  an  hour's  heat, 
Dissolves  to  water,  and  doth  lose  his  form  ; 
A  little  time  will  melt  her  frozen  thoughts, 

And  worthlefs  Valentine  mail  be  forgot  

How  now,  fir  Protheus  ?  is  your  countryman, 
According  to  our  proclamation,  gone? 

Pro.  Gone,  my  good  lord. 

Duk.  My  daughter  takes  his  going  grievoufly. 

Pro.  A  little  time,  my  lord,  will  kill  that  grief. 

Vol.  L  I 


5° 


The  two  Gentlemen  of  Verona. 


Duk.  So  I  believe ;  but  Thurio  thinks  not  Co* 
Protheus,  the  good  conceit  I  hold  of  thee 
(For  thou  haft  fhown  fome  fign  of  good  desert) 
Makes  me  the  better  to  confer  with  thee. 

Pro.  Longer  than  I  prove  loyal  to  your  grace, 
Let  me  not  live  to  look  upon  your  grace. 

Duk.  Thou  know'ft,  how  willingly  I  would  effeft 
The  match  between  fir  Thurio  and  my  daughter  : 

Pro.  I  do,  my  lord. 

Duk.  And  alfo,  I  do  think,  thou  art  not  ignorant 
How  (he  opposes  her  againft  my  will. 

Pro.  She  did,  my  lord,  when  Valentine  was  here. 

Duk.  Ay,  and  perverfly  lhe  perfevers  fo. 
What  might  we  do  to  make  the  girl  forget 
The  love  of  Valentine,  and  love  fir  Thurio? 

Pro.  The  belt  way  is,  to  flander  Valentine 
With  falfhood,  cowardice,  and  poor  defcent ; 
Three  things  that  women  highly  hold  in  hate. 

Duk.  Ay,  but  Ihe'll  think,  that  it  is  fpoke  in  hate. 

Pro.  Ay,  if  his  enemy  deliver  it : 
Therefore  it  muft,  with  circumftance,  be  fpoken 
By  one,  whom  fhe  efteemeth  as  his  friend. 

Duk.  Then  you  muft  undertake  to  flander  him. 

Pro.  And  that,  my  lord,  I  fhall  be  loth  to  do : 
?Tis  an  ill  office  for  a  gentleman  ; 
Efpecially,  againft  his  very  friend. 

Duk.  Where  your  good  word  cannot  advantage  him, 
Your  flander  never  can  endamage  him ; 
Therefore  the  office  is  indifferent, 
Being  intreated  to  it  by  your  friend. 

Pro.  You  have  prevail'd,  my  lord  :  if  I  can  do  it, 
By  ought  that  I  can  fpeak  in  his  difpraise, 


The  t-wo  Gentlemen  of  Verona. 


She  lhall  not  long  continue  love  to  him. 
But  fay,  this  weed  her  love  from  Valentine, 
It  follows  not,  that  Ihe  will  love  fir  Tburio. 

Thu.  Therefore,  as  you  unwind  her  love  from  him, 
Left  it  mould  ravel,  and  be  good  to  none, 
You  muit  provide  to  bottom  it  on  me  : 
Which  muft  be  done,  by  praising  me  as  much 
As  you  in  worth  difpraise  fir  Valentine. 

Duk.  And,  Protbeus,  we  dare  truft  you  in  this  kind ; 
Because  we  know,  on  Valentine9s  report, 
You  are  already  love's  firm  votary, 
And  cannot  foon  revolt  and  change  your  mind. 
Upon  this  warrant,  mall  you  have  accefs, 
Where  you  with  Silvia  may  confer  at  large ; 
For  me  is  lumpifh,  heavy,  melancholy, 
And,  for  your  friend's  fake,  will  be  glad  of  you  : 
Where  you  may  temper  her  by  your  perfuasion, 
To  hate  young  Valentine,  and  love  my  friend. 

Pro.  As  much  as  I  can  do,  I  will  effeft  :  _ 
But  you,  fir  Thurio,  are  not  ftiarp  enough ; 
You  mult  lay  lime,  to  tangle  her  desires, 
By  wailful  fonnets,  whose  composed  rimes 
Should  be  full  fraught  with  ferviceable  vows. 

Duk.  Ay,  Much  is  the  force  of  heaven-bred  poefy. 

Pro.  Say,  that  upon  the  altar  of  her  beauty 
You  facrifice  your  tears,  your  fighs,  your  heart : 
Write  'till  your  ink  be  dry,  and  with  your  tears 
Moift  it  again  ;  and  frame  fome  feeling  line, 
That  may  difcover  fuch  integrity : 
For  Orpheus*  lute  was  ftrung  with  poets'  finews ; 
Whose  golden  touch  could  ibften  fteel  and  Hones, 
Make  tigers  tame,  and  huge  leviathans 

I  2 


The  two  Gentlemen  of  Verona, 


Forfake  unfounded  deeps  to  dance  on  fands. 
After  your  dire-lamenting  elegies, 
Visit  by  night  your  lady's  chamber  window 
With  fome  fweet  concert:  to  their  inftruments 
Tune  a  deploring  dump  ;  the  night's  dead  filence 
Will  well  become  fuch  fweet-complaining  grievance. 
This,  or  elfe  nothing,  will  inherit  her. 

Duk.  This  difcipline  mows  thou  haft  been  in  love. 

Thu.  And  thy  advice  this  night  Til  put  in  practice : 
Therefore,  fweet  Protheus,  my  dire&ion-giver, 
Let  us  into  the  city  presently, 
To  fort  fome  gentlemen  well  fkill'd  in  musick : 
I  have  a  fonnet,  that  will  ferve  the  turn, 
To  give  the  onfet  to  thy  good  advice. 

Duk.  About  it,  gentlemen. 

Pro.  We'll  wait  upon  your  grace,  'till  after  fupper  ; 
And  afterward  determine  our  proceedings. 

Duk.  Even  now  about  it ;  I  will  pardon  you.  [Exeunt. 


act  iv. 

SCENE  I.  The  Frontiers  of  Mantua.  AForeft. 
Enter  certain  Out-laws. 

1.  O.  Fellows,  ftand  faft  ;  I  fee  a  paffenger. 

2.  O.  If  there  be  ten,  fhrink  not,  but  down  with  'em* 

Enter  Valentine,  and  Speed. 

3.  O.  Stand,  fir,  and  throw  us  thatyou  have  about  you; 
If  not,  we'll  make  you  fit,  and  riffle  you. 

Spe.  2D,  fir,  we  are  undone !  these  are  the  villains 
That  all  the  travellers  do  fear  fo  much, 
Val*  My  friends,— 


The  two  Gentlemen  of  Verona.  5  3 

1.  0.  That's  not  fo,  fir;  we  are  your  enemies. 

2.  O.  Peace,  peace;  we'll  hear  him. 

3.  O.  Ay,  by  my  beard,  will  we; 
For  he's  a  proper  man. 

Val.  Then  know,  that  I  have  little  wealth  to  lose  ; 
A  man  I  am,  crofPd  with  adverfity : 
My  riches  are  these  poor  habiliments ; 
Of  which  if  you  fhould  here  diffurnifh  me, 
You  take  the  fum  and  fuhilance  that  I  have. 

2.  O.  Whither  travel  you  ? 
Val  .  To  Verona. 

1 .  O.  gnU  whence  came  you  ? 
Val.  From  Milan. 

3.  O.  Have  you  long  fojourned  there  ?  [ftay'd, 
Val.  Some  fixteen  months  ;  and  longer  might  have 

If  crooked  fortune  had  not  thwarted  me. 

1.  O.  What,  were  you  banifh'd  thence? 
Val  .  I  was. 

2.  O.  For  what  offence  ? 

Val  .  For  that  which  now  torments  me  to  rehearfe : 
I  kill'd  a  man,  whose  death  I  much  repent; 
But  yet  I  flew  him  manfully  in  fight, 
Without  falfe  vantage,  or  bafe  treachery. 

1.  O.  Why,  ne'er  repent  it,  if  it  were  done  fo : 
But  were  you  banifh'd  for  fo  fmall  a  fault  ? 

Val.  I  was,  and  held  me  glad  of  fuch  a  doom. 

2.  O.  Have  you  the  tongues  ? 

Val.  My  youthful  travel  therein  made  me  happy  ; 
Or  elfe  I  often  had  been  miserable. 

3.O.  By  the  bare  fcalp  of  Robin  Hood's  fat  friar, 
This  fellow  were  a  king  for  our  wild  fadlion. 

?.  0.  We'll  have  him:  Sirs,  a  word.      [talk  apart. 

1 3 


54  fte  two  Gentlemen  of  Verona. 

Spe.  Mafter,  be  one  of  them  ; 
It  is  an  honourable  kind  of  thievery. 
Val.  Peace,  villain. 

2.  O.  Tell  us  this,  Have  you  any  thing  to  take  to  ? 
Val.  Nothing,  but  my  fortune. 

3.  O.  Know  then,  that  fome  of  us  are  gentlemen, 
Such  as  the  fury  of  ungovern'd  youth 

Thruft  from  the  company  of  awful  men : 
Myfelf  was  from  Verona  banifhed, 
For  praftifing  to  fteal  away  a  lady, 
An  heir,  and  near  ally'd  unto  the  duke. 

2.  O.  And  I  from  Mantua*  for  a  gentleman 
Who,  in  my  mood,  I  ftab'd  unto  the  heart. 

1.  O.  And  I,  for  fuch  like  petty  crimes  as  these. 
But  to  the  purpose,  —  (for  we  cite  our  faults, 
That  they  may  hold  excus'd  our  lawlefs  lives) 
And,  partly,  feeing  you  are  beautify'd 

With  goodly  ftiape  ;  and,  by  your  own  report, 
A  linguift  ;  and  a  man  of  fuch  perfection, 
As  we  do  in  our  quality  much  want ;  — 

2.  O.  Indeed,  because  you  are  a  banifh'd  man, 
Therefore,  above  the  reft,  we  parly  to  you : 

Are  you  content  to  be  our  general ; 

To  make  a  virtue  of  neceffity, 

And  live,  as  we  do,  in  this  wildernefs  ? 

3.  O.  What  fay'ft  thou?  wilt  thou  be  of  our  confort  ? 
Say,  ay,  and  be  the  captain  of  us  all : 

We'll  do  thee  homage,  and  be  rul'd  by  thee, 
Love  thee  as  our  commander,  and  our  king. 

1.  O.  But,  if  thou  fcorn  our  courtefy,  thou  dy'ft. 

2.  O.  Thou  (halt  not  live  to  brag  what  we  have  offer'd. 
Val.  1  take  your  offer,  and  will  live  with  you  ; 


11  and  Neece,  allide 


The  two  Gentlemen  of  Verona. 


Provided,  that  you  do  no  outrages 
On  filly  women,  or  poor  paflengers. 

3.  O.  No,  we  detell  fuch  vile  bafe  pra&ices. 
Come,  go  with  us,  we'll  bring  thee  to  our  crews, 
And  mow  thee  all  the  treasure  we  have  got ; 
Which,  with  ourfelves,  all  reft  at  thy  difpose.  \Exeunt> 

SCENE  II.  Milan.  Court  of  the  Palace. 
Enter  Protheus. 

Pro.  Already  I've  been  falfe  to  Valentine, 
And  now  I  muft  be  as  unjuft  to  Thurio. 
Under  the  colour  of  commending  him, 
I  have  accefs  my  own  love  to  prefer ; 
But  Sifoia  is  too  fair,  too  true,  too  holy, 
To  be  corrupted  with  my  worthlefs  gifts : 
When  I  proteft  true  loyalty  to  her, 
She  twits  me  with  my  fallhood  to  my  friend  ; 
When  to  her  beauty  I  commend  my  vows, 
She  bids  me  think,  how  I  have  been  forfworn 
In  breaking  faith  with  J-ulia  whom  I  lov'd  : 
And,  notwithftanding  all  her  fudden  quips, 
(The  leaft  whereof  would  quell  a  lover's  hope) 
Yet,  fpaniel-iike,  the  more  fhe  fpurns  my  love, 
The  more  it  grows,  and  fawneth  on  her  ftill. 
But  here  comes  Thurio :  now  muft  we  to  her  window, 
And  give  fome  evening  musick  to  her  ear. 

Enter  Thurio,  and  Musicians. 

Thu.  How  now,  fir  Protheus  ?  are  you  crept  before  us? 

Pro.  Ay,  gentle  Thurio;  for,  you  know,  that  love 
Will  creep  in  fervice  where  it  cannot  go. 

Thu.  Ay,  but,  I  hope,  fir,  that  you  love  not  here. 

Pro,  Sir,  but  I  do  ;  or  elfe  I  would  be  hence. 

»°  have  I 


The  two  Gentlemen  of  Verona. 


T ku.  Who  ?  Silvia  P 

Pro.  Ay,  Silvia,  —  for  your  fake. 

Thu.  I  thank  you,  for  your  own —  Now,  gentlemen, 
Let's  tune,  and  to  it  luftily  a  while. 

Enter  Holt,  at  a  Diftance;  with  Julia, 
appareVd  like  a  Boy. 

Hoft.  Now,  my  young  gueft  !  me  thinks,  you're  alli- 
tfiolly  ;  I  pray  you,  why  is  it  ? 

Jul.  Marry,  mine  hoft,  because  I  cannot  be  merry. 

Hoft.  Come,  we'll  have  you  merry :  I'll  bring  you 
where  you  fhall  hear  musick,  and  fee  the  gentleman 
that  you  afk'd  for. 

Jul.  But  fhall  I  hear  him  fpeak  ? 

Hoft.  Ay,  that  you  fhall. 

Jul.  That  will  be  musick. 

Hoft.  Hark,  hark  !  [Musick  plays. 

Jul.  Is  he  among  these  ? 

Hoft.  Ay  :  but  peace,  let's  hear  'em. 

SONG. 
Who  is  Silvia  ?  vohat  is  Jhe, 

that  all  our  ftwains  commend  her  P 
holyy  fair,  and  voise  is  Jhe  ; 

the  heaven  juch  grace  did  lend  her> 
that  Jhe  might  aamired  be. 

2. 

Is  Jhe  kind,  as  Jhe  is  fair  P 

for  beauty  lives  vuith  kindnefs  : 
Love  doth  to  her  eyes  repair, 

to  help  him  of  his  blindnefs ; 
and,  being  helfd,  inhabits  there* 
3- 

Then  to  Silvia  let  us  Jing? 


The  two  Gentlemen  of  Verona. 


57 


that  Silvia  is  excelling  ; 
Jhe  excels  each  mortal  things 

upon  the  dull  earth  dwelling  : 
to  her  let  us  garlands  bring. 

Hoft.  How  now  ?  are  you  fadder  than  you  were  before  ? 
How  do  you,  man  ?  the  musick  likes  you  not. 

Jul.  You  miftake ;  the  musician  likes  me  not. 

Hoft.  Why,  my  pretty  youth  ? 

Jul.  He  plays  falfe,  father. 

Hoft.  How  ?  out  of  tune  on  the  firings  ? 

Jul.  Not  fo ;  but  yet  fo  falfe,  that  he  grieves  my 
very  heart-firings. 

Hoft.  You  have  a  quick  ear. 

Jul.  Ay,  I  would  I  were  deaf;  it  makes  me  have  a 
flow  heart. 

Hojl.   I  perceive,  you  delight  not  in  musick. 

Jul.  Not  a  whit,  when  it  jars  fo. 

Hoft.  Hark,  what  fine  change  is  in  the  musick  ! 

Jul.  Ay  ;  that  changers  the  fpight. 

Hoft.  You  would  have  them  always  play  but  one  thing. 

Jul.  I  would  always  have  one  play  but  one  thing. 
But,  hoft,  doth  this  fir  Protheus,  that  we  talk  on,  often 
resort  unto  this  gentlewoman  ? 

Hoft.  I  tell  you  what  Launce  his  man  told  me,  he  lov'd 
her  out  of  all  nick. 

Jul.  Where  is  Launce? 

Hoft.  Gone  to  feek  his  dog  ;  which,  to-morrow,  by 
his  matter's  command,  he  muft  carry  for  a  present  to 
his  lady.  [Musick  ceafes* 

Jul.  Peace  !  ftand  afide,  the  company  parts. 

Pro.  Sir  Thurio,  fear  not  you  ;  I  will  fo  plead, 


ss 


The  two  Gentlemen  of  Verona. 


That  you  fhall  fay,  my  cunning  drift  excels. 
*f  hu.  Where  meet  we  ? 
Pro.  At  faint  Gregorys  well. 

Fhu.  Farewel.  [Exeunt  Thurio,  and  Mustek* 

Silvia  appears  above,  at  her  Window. 

Pro.  Madam,  good  even  to  your  ladyihip  ! 

Sil.   I  thank  you  for  your  musick,  gentlemen  : 
Who  is  that,  that  fpake  ? 

Pro.  One,  lady,  if  you  knew  his  pure  heart's  truth,, 
You'd  quickly  learn  to  know  him  by  his  voice. 

Sil.   Sir  Protbeus,  as  I  take  it. 

Pro.  Sir  Protbeus,  gentle  lady,  and  your  fervant. 

Sil  .   What  is  your  will  ? 

Pro,  That  1  may  compafs  yours. 

Sil.  You  have  your  wilh  ;  my  will  is  even  this, ~* 
That  presently  you  hie  you  home  to  bed. 
Thou  fubtle,  perjur'd,  falfe,  difloyal  man! 
Think'ft  thou,  I  am  fo  (hallow,  fo  coneeitlefs, 
To  be  feduced  by  thy  flattery, 
That  haft  deceiv'd  fo  many  with  thy  vows  ? 
Return,  return,  and  make  thy  love  amends : 
For  me,  (by  this  pale  queen  of  night  I  fwear) 
I  am  fo  far  from  granting  thy  requeft, 
That  I  defpise  thee  for  thy  wrongful  fuit ; 
And  by  and  by  intend  to  chide  myfelf, 
Even  for  this  time  I  fpend  in  talking  to  thee. 

Pro.  I  grant,  fweet  love,  that  1  did  love  a  lady  ; 
But  fhe  is  dead. 

Jul.  "  'Twere  falfe,  if  I  mould  fpeak  it;" 
"For,  I  am  fure,  fhe  is  not  buried." 

Sil.    Say,  that  fhe  be  :  yet  Valentine,  thy  friend^ 
Survives  ;  to  whom,  thyfelf  art  witnefs, 


The  two  Gentlemen  of  Verona. 


59 


I  am  betroth'd  ;  And  art  thou  not  afham'd 
To  wrong  him  with  thy  importunacy  ? 

Pro.  I  likewise  hear,  that  Valentine  is  deac5 

Sil.   And  fo,  fuppose,  am  I ;  for  in  his  grave, 
Aflure  thyfelf,  my  love  is  buried. 

Pro.  Sweet  lady,  let  me  rake  it  from  the  earth. 

Sil.  Go  to  thy  lady's  grave,  and  call  her's  thence; 
Or,  at  the  leaft,  in  her's  fepulcher  thine. 

Jul.  u He  heard  not  that." 

Pro.  Madam,  if  tfjat  your  heart  be  fo  obdurate, 
Vouchfafe  me  yet  your  picture  for  my  love, 
The  picture  that  is  hanging  in  your  chamber; 
To  that  I'll  fpeak,  to  that  I'll  figh,  and  weep  : 
For,  fince  the  fubftance  of  your  perfect  felf 
Is  elfe  devoted,  I  am  but  a  ftiadow ; 
And  to  your  fhadow  will  I  make  true  love.  [it," 

Jul.  "If 'twere  a  fubftance,  you  would  fure  deceive 
"  And  make  it  but  a  fhadow,  as  I  am. " 

Sil  .   I  am  very  loth  to  be  your  idol,  fir  : 
But,  fince  your  falfhood  fhall  become  you  well 
To  worfhip  fhadows,  and  adore  falfe  fhapes, 
Send  to  me  in  the  morning,  and  I'll  fend  it : 
And  fo,  good  reft. 

Pro.  As  wretches  have  o'er  night, 
That  wait  for  execution  in  the  morn. 

[Exeunt  Protheus  ;  and  Silvia,  from  above. 

Jul.  Hoft,  will  you  go  ? 

Hoji.  By  my  halydom,  I  was  faft  afleep. 

Jul.  Pray  you,  where  lies  fir  Protheus P 

Hoji.  Marry,  at  my  houfe  :  Truft  me,  I  think  'tis 
almoft  day. 

Jul.  Not  fo  :  but  it  hath  been  the  longeft  night 


60  The  tnvo  Gentlemen  of  Verona. 

That  e'er  I  watcrTd,  and  the  moil  heavier!:.  [Exeunt* 

SCENE  III.  The  fame. 
Enter  Eglamour. 
Egl.  This  is  the  hour  that  madam  Silvia 
Entreated  me  to  call,  and  know  her  mind ; 

There's  fome  great  matter  Ihe'd  employ  me  in  

Madam  ! 

Enter  Silvia,  above* 
Sil.   Who  calls  ? 

Egl.  Your  fervant,  and  your  friend; 
One  that  attends  your  ladyfhip's  commands. 

Sil.    Sir  Eg lamour  !  a  thousand  times  good  morrow. 

Egl.  As  many,  worthy  lady,  to  yourfelf. 
According  to  your  ladyfhip's  impose, 
I  am  thus  early  come  ;  to  know  what  fervice 
It  is  your  pleasure  to  command  me  in. 

Sil  .    O  Eglamour,  thou  art  a  gentleman 
(Think  not,  I  flatter;  for,  I  fwear,  I  do  not) 
Valiant,  an"D  wise,  remorfeful,  well  accomplihYd. 
Thou  art  not  ignorant,  what  dear  good  will 
I  bear  unto  the  banifh'd  Valentine  ; 
Nor  how  my  father  would  enforce  me  marry 
Vain  Thurio,  whom  my  very  foul  abhors  : 
Thyfelf  haft  lov'd ;  and  I  have  heard  thee  fay, 
No  grief  did  ever  come  fo  near  thy  heart, 
As  when  thy  lady  and  thy  true-love  dy'd, 
Upon  whose  grave  thou  vow'dft  pure  chaftity : 
Sir  Eglamour,  I  would  to  V alentine, 
To  Mantua,  where,  I  hear,  he  makes  abode; 
And,  for  the  ways  are  dangerous  to  pafs, 
I  do  desire  thy  worthy  company, 


H  abhor'd 


The  two  Gentlemen  of  Verona, 


61 


Ujpon  whose  faith  and  honour  I  repose. 

Urge  not  my  father's  anger,  Eg/amour, 

But  think  upon  my  grief,  a  lady's  grief ; 

And  on  the  juftice  of  my  flying  hence, 

To  keep  me  from  a  molt  unholy  match, 

Which  heaven,  and  fortune,  (till  rewards  with  plagues. 

I  do  desire  thee,  even  from  a  heart 

As  full  of  forrows  as  the  fea  of  fands, 

To  bear  me  company  and  go  with  me  : 

If  not,  to  hide  what  1  have  laid  to  thee, 

That  I  may  venture  to  depart  alone. 

Egl.  Madam,  [  pity  much  your  grievances; 
Which  fince  I  know  they  virtuoufly  are  plac'd, 
I  give  confent  to  go  along  with  you ; 
Wreaking  as  little  what  betideth  me, 
As  much  I  wifh  all  good  befortune  you. 
When  will  you  go  ? 

Sil.   This  evening  coming  om 

Egl.  Where  fhall  [  meet  you  ? 

Sil  .   At  friar  Patricks  cell, 
Where  I  intend  holy  confeffion. 

Egl.  I  will  not  fail  your  ladyfhip* 
Good  morrow,  gentle  lady. 

Sil.    Good  morrow,  kind  fir  Eglamour.  [Exeunt. 

SCENE  IV.  <Ihe  ame.  Silvia\r  Anti-chamber. 

Enter  Launce,  with  his  Dog. 
Lav.  When  a  man's  fervant  fhall  play  the  cur 
with  him,  look  you,  it  goes  hard ;  one  that  I  brought 
up  of  a  puppy;  one  thnt  I  fav'd  from  drowning,  when 
three  or  four  of  his  blind  brothers  and  filters  went 
to  it  :  I  have  taught  him  —  even  as  one  would  fay 


62 


The  two  Gentlemen  of  Verona. 


precifely,  Thus  I  would  teach  a  dog.  I  was  fent  to 
deliver  him,  as  a  present  to  miflrefs  Silvia,  from 
my  matter ;  and  I  came  no  fooner  into  the  dining- 
chamber,  but  he  fteps  me  to  her  trencher,  and  fteals 
her  capon's  leg.  O,  'tis  a  foul  thing,  when  a  cur  can- 
not keep  himfelf  in  all  companies  !  I  would  have,  as 
one  mould  fay,  one  that  takes  upon  him  to  be  a  dog 
indeed,  to  be,  as  it  were,  a  dog  at  all  things.  If  I 
had  not  had  more  wit  than  he,  to  take  a  fault  upon 
me  that  he  did,  I  think  verily  he  had  been  hang'd 
for't  ;  fure  as  I  live,  he  had  fuffer'd  for't :  you  mall 
judge  :  He  thrufts  me  himfelf  into  the  company  of 
three  or  four  gentleman-like  dogs,  under  the  duke's 
table  ;  he  had  not  been  there  (blefs  the  mark  ! )  a 
piffing  while,  but  all  the  chamber  fmelt  him  :  Out 
with  the  dog,  fays  one  ;  What  cur  is  that  ?  fays  another; 
Whip  him  out,  fays  the  third  ;  Hang  him  up,  fays  the 
duke  :  I,  having  been  acquainted  with  the  fmell  be- 
fore, knew  it  was  Crab ;  and  goes  me  to  the  fellow 
that  whips  the  dogs,  Friend,  quoth  I,  you  mean  to 
whip  the  dog  ?  Ay,  marry,  do  I,  quoth  he ;  You  do  him 
the  more  wrong,  quoth  I  ;  'twas  I  did  the  thing  you 
wot  of :  he  makes  me  no  more  ado,  but  whips  me 
out  of  the  chamber:  How  many  mafters  would  do  this 
for  his  fervant  ?  nay,  I'll  be  fworn,  I  have  fat  in  the 
flocks  for  puddings  he  hath  ftoln,  otherwise  he  had 
been  executed ;  I  have  flood  on  the  pillory  for  geefe 
he  hath  kill'd,  otherwise  he  had  fuffer'd  for't :  —  thou 
think'fl  not  of  this  now  :  Nay,  I  remember  the  trick 
you  ferv'd  me,  when  1  took  my  leave  of  madam  Julia-, 
Did  not  T  bid  thee  fiill  mark  me,  and  do  as  I  do  ? 
when  didft  thou  fee  me  heave  up  my  leg,  and  make 


3°  Madam  Silvia 


The  two  Gentlemen  of  Verona.  6 1 

water  againft  a  gentlewoman's  farthingale  ?  didfl  thou 
ever  fee  me  do  fuch  a  trick  ? 

2i/?/<?r  Protheus,  and  Julia. 
Pro.  Sebaftian  is  thy  name  ?  I  like  thee  well, 
And  will  employ  thee  in  fome  fervice  presently. 
Jul.  In  what  you  please  ;  I'll  do,  fir,  what  I  can. 
Pro.  I  hope,  thou  wilt.  _  How  now,  you  whorfoa 
peasant  ? 

Where  have  you  been  these  two  days  loitering  ? 

Lau.  Marry,  fir,  I  carry'd  miftrefs  Silvia  the  dog  you 
bad  me. 

Pro.  And  what  fays  Ihe  to  my  little  jewel  ? 

Lau.  Marry,  lhe  fays,  your  dog  was  a  cur;  and  tells 
you,  currilh  thanks  is  good  enough  for  fuch  a  present. 

Pro.  But  me  receiv'd  my  dog  ? 

Lau.  No,  indeed,  did  fhe  not ;  here  ~[~  have  I  brought 
him  back  again. 

Pro.  What,  didft  thou  offer  her  this  from  me  ? 

Lau.  Ay,  fir ;  the  other  fquirrel  was  ftoln  from  me 
by  the  hangman's  boy  in  the  market-place  :  and  then 
I  ofFer'd  her  mine  own  ;  who  is  a  dog  as  big  as  ten  of 
yours,  and  therefore  the  gift  the  greater. 

Pro.  Go,  get  thee  hence,  and  find  my  dog  again, 
Or  ne'er  return  again  into  my  light. 
Away,  I  fay ;  Stay'ft  thou  to  vex  me  here  ?  _ 

[Exit  Launce. 
A  Have,  that,  frill  an  end,  turns  me  to  fhame.— 
Sebaftian ,  I  have  entertained  thee, 
Partly,  that  I  have  need  of  fuch  a  youth, 
That  can  with  fome  difcretion  do  my  businefs, 
For  'tis  no  trufting  to  yon'  foolilh  lowt  ; 
But,  chiefly,  for  thy  face,  and  thy  behaviour, 


64 


Tfa  two  Gentlemen  Verona; 


Which  (if  my  augury  deceive  me  not) 
Witnefs  good  bringing  up,  fortune,  and  truth  : 
Therefore,  know  thou,  for  this  I  entertain  thee. 
Go  presently,  and  take  this  =}=■  ring  with  thee, 
Deliver  it  to  madam  Silvia  ; 
She  lov'd  me  well,  deliver'd  it  to  me. 

Jul  .  It  feems,  you  lov'd  not  her,  to  leave  her  token : 
She  is  dead,  belike  ? 

Pro.  Not  fo  ;  I  think,  fhe  lives. 

Jul.  Alas! 

Pro.  Why  doft  thou  cry,  alas  ? 

Jul.  I  cannot  choose 
But  pity  her. 

Pro.  Wherefore  fhould'ft  thou  pity  her? 

Jul.  Because,  methinks,  that  fhe  lov'd  you  as  well 
As  you  do  love  your  lady  Silvia: 
She  dreams  on  him,  that  has  forgot  her  love; 
You  doat  on  her,  that  cares  not  for  your  love  : 
5Tis  pity,  love  mould  be  fo  contrary ; 
And  thinking  on  it  makes  me  cry,  alas.  [withal 

Pro.  Well,  Give  her  that  ring,  and  cine  fjer  there- 
This  =J=  letter  ;  that's  her  chamber  :  Tell  my  lady, 
I  claim  the  promise  for  her  heavenly  picture : 
Your  meflage  done,  hie  home  unto  my  chamber, 
Where  thou  lhalt  find  me  fad  and  folitary. 

[Exit  Protheus. 

Jul.  How  many  women  would  do  fuch  a  mefTage  ? 
Alas,  poor  Protheus  !  thou  haft  entertain'd 
A  fox,  to  be  the  fhephsrd  of  thy  lambs  : 
Alas,  poor  fool !  why  do  I  pity  him 
That  with  his  very  heart  defpiseth  me  ? 
Because  he  loves  her,  he  defpiseth  me; 


The  tvoo  Gentlemen  of  Verona.  « 


Because  I  love  him,  I  mud  pity  him. 

This  ring  I  gave  him,  when  he  parted  from  me, 

To  bind  him  to  remember  my  good  will  : 

And  now  am  I  (unhappy  mefTenger) 

To  plead  for  that,  which  I  would  not  obtain  ; 

To  carry  that,  which  I  would  have  refus'd  ; 

To  praise  his  faith,  which  I  would  have  difprais'd, 

I  am  my  mailer's  true  confirmed  love  ; 

But  cannot  be  true  fervant  to  my  matter, 

Unlefs  I  prove  falfe  traitor  to  myfelf : 

Yet  will  I  woo  for  him ;  but  yet  fo  coldly, 

As,  heaven  it  knows,  t  would  not  have  him  {peed. 

Enter  Silvia. 
Gentlewoman,  good  day  !  I  pray  you,  be  my  mean 
To  bring  me  where  to  fpeak  with  madam  Silvia. 
Sil.  What  would  you  with  her,  if  that  T  be  fhe? 
Jul.  If  you  be  fhe,  I  do  entreat  your  patience 
To  hear  me  fpeak  the  meflage  I  am  fent  on. 
Sil  .  From  whom  ? 

Jul.  My  mafter  ;  from  fir  Protheus,  madam. 
Sil.  O,  he  fends  you  for  a  picture  ;  tioes  f?e  not? 
Jul.  Ay,  madam. 

Sil  .  Urfu/a,  bring  my  picture  there  [Piflure  brought. 

Go,  give  your  mafter  this  =f=  :  tell  him  from  me, 
One  Julia,  that  his  changing  thoughts  forget, 
Would  better  fit  his  chamber  than  this  fhadow. 

Jul  .  Madam,  toilt  please  you  to  peruse  this  letter  ?  — 
Pardon  me,  madam  ;  I  have,  unadvis'd, 
Deliver'd  you  a  paper  that  I  mould  not ; 
This  =1=  is  the  letter  to  your  ladyfhip. 

Sil.  I  pray  thee,  let  me  look  on  that  again. 

Jul.  It  may  not  be ;  good  madam,  pardon  me. 

20  From  my  Mafter,  Sir 


Vol.  I 


K 


66 


The  two  Gentlemen  ^Verona. 


Sil.    There,  hold.         [giving  back  the  firfi  Letter. 
I  will  not  look  upon  your  matter's  lines : 
I  know,  they  are  fluff' d  with  proteftations, 
And  full  of  new-found  oaths  ;  which  he  will  break, 
As  easily  as  I  do  tear  ~|~  his  paper. 

Jul.  Madam,  he  fends  your  ladyfhip  this  "J"  ring. 

Sil.   The  more  fname  for  him,  that  he  fends  it  me 5 
For  I  have  heard  him  fay  a  thousand  times, 
His  Julia  gave  it  him  at  his  departure  : 
Though  his  falfe  finger  have  prophan'd  the  ring, 
Mine  fliall  not  do  his  Julia  fo  much  wrong. 

Jul.  She  thanks  you. 

Sil.   What  fay'ft  thou  ? 

Jul.  I  thank  you,  madam,  that  you  tender  her : 
Poor  gentlewoman  !  my  matter  wrongs  her  much. 

Sil  .   Doft  thou  know  her  ? 

Jul.  Almoft  as  well  as  I  do  know  myfelf : 
To  think  upon  her  woes,  I  do  proteft, 
That  I  have  wept  a  hundred  feveral  times. 

Sil  .   Belike,  fhe  thinks  that Protheus  hath  forfook  her, 

Jul  .  I  think,  fhe  doth ;  and  that's  her  cause  of  forrow, 

Sil  .   Is  me  not  patting  fair  ? 

Jul  .  She  hath  been  fairer,  madam,  than  fhe  is  : 
When  fhe  did  think  my  matter  lov'd  her  well, 
She,  in  my  judgment,  was  as  fair  as  you  ; 
But  fince  me  did  neglecl  her  looking. glafs, 
And  threw  her  fun-expelling  mafque  away, 
The  air  hath  ftarv'd  the  roses  in  her  cheeks, 
And  pinch'd  the  lilly  tincture  of  her  face, 
That  now  fhe  is  become  as  black  as  I. 

Sil.   How  tall  was  fhe  ? 

Jul.  About  my  ftature  ;  for,  at  peniecoft, 


The  two  Gentlemen  of  Verona. 


67 


When  all  our  pageants  of  delight  were  play'd, 
Our  youth  got  me  to  play  the  woman's  part, 
And  I  was  trim'd  in  madam  Julia's  gown  ; 
Which  ferved  me  as  fit,  by  all  men's  judgment, 
As  if  the  garment  had  been  made  for  me  : 
Therefore,  I  know  Ihe  is  about  my  height. 
And,  at  that  time,  I  made  her  weep  a-good ; 
For  I  did  play  a  lamentable  part : 
Madam,  'twas  Ariadne,  paflioning 
For  Thefeus*  perjury,  and  unjuft  flight : 
Which  I  fo  lively  acted  with  my  tears, 
That  my  poor  miftrefs,  moved  therewithal, 
Wept  bitterly  ;  and,  'would  I  might  be  dead, 
If  I  in  thought  felt  not  her  very  forrow. 

Sil.    She  is  beholding  to  thee,  gentle  youth  :  — 
Alas,  poor  lady!  defolate  and  left !  _ 
I  weep  myfelf,  to  think  upon  thy  words. 
Here,  youth,  there  is  "f-  my  purfe ;  I  give  thee  this 
For  thy  fweet  miftrefs*  fake,  because  thou  lov'ft  her. 
Farewel.  [Exit  Silvia. 

Jul.  And  me  (hall  thank  you  for't,  if  e'er  you  know 
A  virtuous  gentlewoman,  mild,  and  beautiful :  [her.—. 
I  hope,  my  mailer's  fuit  will  be  but  cold, 
Since  fhe  refpects  my  miftrefs'  love  fo  much. 
Alas,  how  love  can  trifle  with  itfelf ! 
Here  is  her  picture  :  Let  me  fee ;  I  think, 
If  I  had  fuch  a  tyre,  this  face  of  mine 
Were  full  as  lovely  as  is  this  of  hers  : 
And  yet  the  painter  flatter'd  her  a  little, 
Unlefs  I  flatter  with  myfelf  too  much. 
Her  hair  is  auburn,  mine  is  perfect  yellow  ; 
If  that  be  all  the  difference  in  his  love, 

K  2 


\ 


63  The  two  Gentlemen  of  Verona. 

I'll  get  me  fuch  a  colour'd  periwig : 

Her  eyes  are  grey  as  glafs ;  and  fo  are  mine  : 

Ay,  but  her  forehead's  low  ;  and  mine's  as  high  : 

What  fhould  it  be,  that  he  refpe&s  in  her, 

But  I  can  make  refpedtive  in  myfelf, 

If  this  fond  love  were  not  a  blinded  god  ? 

Come,  fhadow,  come,  and  take  this  ITiadow  up, 

For  'tis  thy  rival :  O  thou  fenfelefs  form, 

Thou  lhalt  be  worfhip'd,  kifT'd,  lov'd,  and  ador'd ; 

And,  were  there  fenfe  in  his  idolatry, 

My  fubftance  fliould  be  ftatue  in  thy  ftead. 

I'll  use  thee  kindly  for  thy  miftrefs*  fake, 

That  us'd  me  fo  ;  or  elfe,  by  Jove  I  vow, 

I  fhould  have  fcratch'd  out  your  unfeeing  eyes, 

To  make  my  mailer  out  of  love  with  thee.  [Exit- 


ACT  V. 

SCENE  I.  The  fame.  An  Abbey. 
.Enter  Eg l amour. 

Egl.  The  fun  begins  to  gild  the  weftern  fky ; 
And  now  it  is  about  the  very  hour, 
That  Sil<via>  at  friar  Patrick's  cell,  fliould  meet  me  : 
She  will  not  fail ;  for  lovers  break  not  hours, 
Unlefs  it  be  to  come  before  their  time  ; 
So  much  they  fpur  their  expedition. 

Enter  Silvia. 
See,  where  fhe  comes .Lady,  a  happy  evening  I 

Sil.    Amen,  amen !  go  on,  good  Eglamourr 
Out  at  the  poftern  by  the  abbey  wall ; 
I  fear,  I  am  attended  by  fome  fpies. 


The  two  Gentlemen  of  Verona.  69 

Egl.  Fear  not :  the  foreft  is  not  three  leagues  off; 
If  we  recover  that,  we're  fure  enough.  [Exeunt. 

SCENE  II,  The  fame.  A  Room  in  the  Palace. 
Enter  Thurio,  Protheus,  and  Julia. 

T hu.  Sir  Protheus,  what  fays  Silvia  to  my  fuit  ? 

Pro.  O,  fir,  I  find  her  milder  than  fhe  wasj 
But  yet  (he  takes  exceptions  at  your  perfon. 

T hu.  What,  that  my  leg's  too  long  ? 

Pro.  No  ;  that  it  is  too  little. 

Thu.  I'll  wear  a  boot,  to  make  it  fomewhat  rounder. 

Pro.  But  love  will  not  be  fpur'd  to  what  it  loaths. 

Thu.  What  fays  fhe  to  my  face  ? 

Pro.  She  fays,  it  is  a  fair  one. 

Thu.  Nay,  then  the  wanton  lies ;  my  face  is  black. 

Pro.  But  pearls  are  fair  ;  and  the  old  faying  is, 
Black  men  are  pearls  in  beauteous  ladies'  eyes. 

Jul.  "'Tis  true,  fuch  pearls  as  put  out  ladies' eyes; 
u  For  I  had  rather  wink,  than  look  on  them.". 

Thu.  How  likes  fhe  my  difcourfe  ? 

Pro.  Ill,  when  you  talk  of  war. 

T hu.  But  well,  when  I  difcourfe  of  love,  and  peace  ?" 

Jul.  "  But  better,  indeed,  when  you  fco  hold  your 

T hu.  Wrhat  fays  fhe  to  my  valour  ?  [peace." 

Pro.  O,  fir,  fhe  makes 
No  doubt  of  that. 

Jul.  "  She  needs  not,  when  fhe  knows  it  cowardice." 

Thu.  What  fays  fhe  to  my  birth  ? 

Pro.  That  you  are  well  deriv'd. 

Jul.  "True  ;  from  a  gentleman,  to  a  fool," 

Thu.  Confiders  fhe  my  posseffions  ? 

Pro.  0?  ay  ;  and  pities  them. 

*8  ttu.  'Tic 

K3 


/ 


70  The  two  Gentlemen  of  Verona. 

Thu.  Wherefore  ? 

Jul.  "That  fuch  an  afs  mould  owe  them.5* 
Pro.  That  they  are  out  by  leafe. 
Jul.  Here  comes  the  duke. 

Enter  Duke. 

Duk.  How  now,  fir  Protheus  P  how  now,  Thurio? 
Which  of  you  faw  fir  Eg /amour  of  late  ? 
Thu.  Not  I. 
Pro.  Nor  I. 

Duk.  Saw  you  my  daughter  ? 
Pro.  Neither. 

Duk.  Why,  then  fhe's  fled  unto  the  peasant  Valentine*, 
And  Eg/amour  is  in  her  company. 
'Tis  true  ;  for  friar  Laurence  met  them  both, 
As  he  in  penance  wander'd  through  the  foreft  : 
Him  he  knew  well ;  and  guefTd,  that  it  was  Ihe ; 
But,  being  mafk'd,  he  was  not  fure  of  it : 
Befides,  fhe  did  intend  confeflion 
At  Patrick's  cell  this  even  ;  and  there  fhe  was  not : 
These  likelihoods  confirm  her  flight  from  hence. 
Therefore,  I  pray  you,  ftand  not  to  difcourfe, 
But  mount  you  presently ;  and  meet  with  me 
Upon  the  rising  of  the  mountain  foot 
That  leads  toward  Mantua,  whither  they  are  fled : 
Difpatch,  fweet  gentlemen,  and  follow  me.  [Exit. 

Thu.  Why,  this  it  is  to  be  a  peevifli  girl, 
That  flies  her  fortune  when  it  follows  her  : 
I'll  after ;  more  to  be  reveng'd  on  Eglamoury 
Than  for  the  love  of  recklefs  Silvia.  [Exit. 

Pro.  And  I  will  follow,  more  for  Silvia's  love, 
Than  hate  of  Eglamour  that  goes  with  her.  [Exit* 

Jul.  And  I  will  follow,  more  to  crofs  that  love, 


\ 


The  two  Gentlemen  of  Verona*  7 1 

Than  hate  for  Silvia  that  is  gone  for  love.  [Exit. 


SCENE  III.  Frontiers  of  Mantua.  The  For ef. 
Shouts.  Enter  Out-laws,  with  Silvia. 

1.  O.  Come,  come; 

Be  patient,  we  muft  bring  you  to  our  captain. 

Sil.    A  thousand  more  mifchances  than  this  one 
Have  learn'd  me  how  to  brook  this  patiently. 

2.  O.  Come,  Bring  her  away. 

1.  O.  Where  is  the  gentleman  that  was  with  her  ? 

3.  O.  Being  nimble-footed,  he  hath  out-run  us ; 
But  Moses,  and  Valerius,  follow  him. 

Go  thou  with  her  to  the  weft  end  of  the  wood, 
There  is  our  captain  :  we'll  follow  him  that's  fled ; 
The  thicket  is  befet,  he  cannot  'fcape.  [Exeunt. 

1 .  O.  Come,  I  mull  bring  you  to  our  captain's  cave : 
Fear  not ;  he  bears  an  honourable  mind, 
And  will  not  use  a  woman  lawlefly. 

Sil.    O  Valentine,  this  I  endure  for  thee  !  [Exeunt, 

k      SCENE  IV.  The  fame.  Another  Part  of  it. 
Enter  Valentine. 
Val  .  How  ufe  doth  breed  a  habit  in  a  man ! 
This  fhadowy  desert,  unfrequented  woods, 
I  better  brook  than  flourifhing  peopl'd  towns : 
Here  can  I  fit  alone,  unfeen  of  any, 
And,  to  the  nightingale's  complaining  notes, 
Tune  my  diftrefTes,  and  record  my  woes. 
O  thou  that  doft  inhabit  in  my  breaft, 
Leave  not  the  manfion  fo  long  tenantlefs; 
Left,  growing  ruinous,  the  building  fall, 
And  leave  no  memory  of  what  it  was  ! 

K4 


ft 


The  two  Gentlemen  of  Verona, 


Repair  me  with  thy  presence,  Silvia  ; 
Thou  gentle  nymph,  cherifh  thy  forlorn  fwain  ! 
What  hallowing,  and  what  flir,  is  this  to-day  ? 
These  are  my  mates,  that  make  their  wills  their  law, 
Have  fome  unhappy  paffenger  in  chace  : 
They  love  me  well ;  yet  I  have  much  to  do, 
To  keep  them  from  uncivil  outrages. 
Withdraw  thee,  Valentine;  who's  this  comes  here  ? 
Enter  Protheus,  Silvia,  and  Julia. 

Pro.  Madam,  this  fervice  I  have  done  for  you, 
(Though  you  refpect  not  ought  your  fervant  doth) 
To  hazard  life,  and  refcue  you  from  him, 
That  would  have  forc'd  your  honour,  and  your  love : 
Vouchfale  me,  for  my  meed,  but  one  fair  look ; 
A  fmaller  boon  than  this  I  cannot  beg, 
And  lefs  than  this,  I  am  fure,  you  cannot  give. 

Val.  "  How  like  a  dream  is  this,  I  fee.  and  hear  ! 99 
€C  Love,  lend  me  patience  to  forbear  a  while  " 

Sil.    O  miserable,  unhappy,  that  I  am  ! 

Pro.  Unhappy  were  you,  madam,  ere  I  came; 
But,  by  my  coming,  I  have  made  you  happy. 

Sil  .   By  thy  approach  thou  rnak'ft.  me  rnoft  unhappy. 

Jul.  "  And  me,  when  he  approacheth  to  your  pre- 

Sil.   Had  I  been  feized  by  a  hungry  lion,  [sence." 
I  would  have  been  a  breakfaft  to  the  beaft, 
Rather  than  have  falfe  Protheus  refcue  me. 
O,  heaven  be  judge,  how  T  love  Valentine, 
Whose  life's  as  tender  to  me  as  my  foul  ; 
And  full  as  much  (for  more  there  cannot  be) 
I  do  deteft  falfe  perjur'd  Protheus  : 
Therefore  be  gone,  folicit  me  no  more. 

Pro.  What  dangerous  adtion,  flood  it  next  to  death* 


The  tzvo  Gentlemen  of  Verona, 


73 


Would  I  not  undergo  for  one  calm  look  ? 
O,  'tis  the  curfe  in  love,  and  ftill  approv'd, 
When  women  cannot  love  where  they're  belov'd  ! 

Sil.   When  Protheus  cannot  love  where  he's  belov'd: 
Read  over  Julia's  heart,  thy  firft  beft  love, 
For  whose  dear  fake  thou  didft  then  rend  thy  faith 
Into  a  thousand  oaths  ;  and  all  those  oaths 
Defcended  into  perjury,  to  love  me. 
Thou  haft  no  faith  left  now,  unlefs  thou'dft  two, 
And  that's  far  worfe  than  none ;  better  have  none 
Than  plural  faith,  which  is  too  much  by  one : 
Thou  counterfeit  to  thy  true  friend  ! 

Pro.  Tn  love, 
Who  refpecls  friend  ? 

Sil.   All  men  but  Protheus. 

Pro.  Nay,  if  the  gentle  fpirit  of  moving  words 
Can  no  way  change  you  to  a  milder  form, 
I'll  woo  you  like  a  foldier,  at  arm's  end  ; 
And  love  you  'gainft  the  nature  of  love,  force  you. 

Sil.   O  heaven  ! 

Pro.  I'll  force  thee  yield  to  my  desire. 

Val.  Ruffian,  let  go  that  rude  uncivil  touch; 
Thou  friend  of  an  ill  fafhion. 

Pro.  Valentine!  [love; 

Val.  Thou  common  friend,  that's  without  faith,  or 
(For  fuch  is  a  friend  now)  treacherous  man, 
Thou  haft  beguil'd  my  hopes  ;  nought  but  mine  eye 
Could  have  perfaaded  me :  Now. I  dare  not  fay, 
I  have  one  friend  alive;  thou  would'ft  difprove  me: 
Who  mould  be  trufted  now,  when  one's  right  hand 
Is  perjur'd  to  the  bosom?  Protheus > 
I  am  forry,  I  muft  never  truft  thee  more, 


74- 


The  two  Gentlemen  of  Verona. 


But  count  the  world  a  ftranger  for  thy  fake. 
The  private  wound  is  deepeft ;  O  time  accurft ! 
'Mongft  all  foes,  that  a  friend  mould  be  the  worft  I 

Pro.  My  fhame,  and  guilt,  confounds  me  

Forgive  me,  Valentine :  if  hearty  forrow 
Be  a  fufficient  ranfom  for  offence, 
I  tender't  here  ;  I  do  as  truly  fuffer, 
As  e'er  I  did  commit. 

Val.  Then  I  am  pay'd  ; 
And  once  again  I  do  receive  thee  honeft  :  — 
Who  by  repentance  is  not  fatiffy'd, 
Is  nor  of  heaven,  nor  earth  ;  for  these  are  pleas'd  ; 
By  penitence  th'  Eternal's  wrath's  appeas'd  :  — 
And,  that  my  love  may  appear  plain  and  free, 
All,  that  was  mine  in  Silvia,  I  give  thee. 

Jul.  O  me  unhappy!  [faints. 

Pro.  Look  to  the  boy.  [matter  ? 

Val  .  Why,  boy  !  why,  wag !  how  now  ?  what  is  the 
Look  up  ;  fpeak. 

Jul.  O  good  fir,  my  matter  charg'd  me 
To  deliver  a  ring  to  madam  Silvia  ; 
Which,  out  of  my  negle£l,  was  never  done. 

Pro.  Where  is  that  ring,  boy  ? 

Jul  .  Here  'tis ;  this  =j=  is  it. 

Pro.  How  !  let  me  fee  : 
Why,  this  is  the  ring  I  gave  to  Julia. 

Jul.  O,  cry  you  mercy,  fir,  I  have  miftook  ; 
This  ~(~  is  the  ring  you  fent  to  Silvia.  [part, 

Pro.  But,  how  cam'ft  thou  by  this  ring?  at  my  de-* 
I  gave  this  unto  Julia. 

Jul.  And  Julia  herfelf  did  give  it  me ; 
And  Julia  herfelf  hath  brought  it  hither. 


*  time,  moft  acc- 


The  two  Gentlemen  of  Verona. 


Pro.  How!  Julia  ? 

Jul.  Behold  "]~  her  that  gave  aim  to  all  thy  oaths, 
And  entertain'd  them  deeply  in  her  heart : 
How  oft  haft  thou  with  perjury  cleft  the  root  ? 
O  Protheus,  let  this  habit  make  thee  blufti  ; 
Be  thou  afham'd,  that  I  have  took  upon  me 
Such  an  immodeft  rayment ;  if  ftiame  live 
In  a  difguise  of  love  : 
It  is  the  leffer  blot,  modefty  finds, 
Women  to  change  their  fhapes,  than  men  their  minds. 

Pro.  Than  men  their  minds  !  'tis  true  :  O  heaven  ! 
were  man 

But  conftant,  he  were  perfect:  that  one  error 

Fills  him  with  faults;  makes  him  run  through  all  fins: 

Inconftancy  falls  off,  ere  it  begins  : 

What  is  in  Silvias  face,  but  1  may  fpy 

More  frefh  in  Julians,  with  a  conftant  eye  ? 

Val.  Come,  come,  a  hand  from  either  : 
Let  me  be  bleft  to  make  this  happy  close; 
'Twere  pity,  two  fuch  friends  fhould  be  long  foes. 

Jul.  Bear  witnefs,  heaven,  I  have  my  wifh  for  ever. 

Pro.  And  I  mine.  [embracing. 
Shouts',  and  Enter  Outlaws,  with  Duke, 
and  Thurio. 

•Out.    A  prize,  a  prize,  a  prize  ! 

Val.  Forbear,  I  fay;  it  is  my  lord  the  duke  :  

Your  grace  is  welcome  to  a  man  difgrac'd, 
^Ll)C  baniih'd  Valentine. 

Duk.  Sir  Valentine  ! 

Thu.  Yonder  is  Silvia ;  and  Silvia's  mine. 
Val.  Thurio,  give  back,  or  elfe  embrace  thy  death; 
Come  not  within  the  measure  of  my  wrath  : 


>+  all  th'fins 


The  two  Gentlemen  of  Verona. 


Do  not  name  Silvia  thine ;  if  once  again, 
Milan  fhall  not  behold  thee  :  Here  fne  ftands, 
Take  but  possesion  of  her  with  a  touch; 
I  dare  thee  but  to  breath  upon  my  love. 

Thu.  Sir  Valentine,  I  care  not  for  her,  I : 
I  hold  him  but  a  fool,  that  will  endanger 
His  body  for  a  girl  that  loves  him  not : 
1  claim  her  not,  and  therefore  {he  is  thine. 

Duk.    The  more  degenerate  and  bafe  art  thou, 
To  make  fuch  means  for  her  as  thou  haft  done, 

And  leave  her  on  fuch  flight  conditions.  

Now,  by  the  honour  of  my  anceftry, 

I  do  applaud  thy  fpirit,  Valentine, 

And  think  thee  worthy  of  an  emprefs*  love  : 

Know  then,  I  here  forget  ail  former  griefs, 

Cancel  all  grudge,  repeal  thee  home  again ; 

Plead  a  new  flate  in  thy  unrivaPd  merit, 

To  which  I  thus  fubferibe, — Sir  Valentine, 

Thou  art  a  gentleman,  and  well  deriv'd  ; 

Take  thou  thy  ~|~  Sifoia,  for  thou  haft  deserVd  her. 

Vjl.  I  thank  your  grace;  the  gift  hath  made  mc 
1  now  befeech  you,  for  your  daughter's  fake,  [happy. 
To  grant  one  boon  that  [  (hall  afk  of  you. 

Duk.   I  grant  it,  for  thine  own,  whate'er  it  be. 
Val.  These  banifh'd  men,  that  I  have  kept  withal, 
Are  men  endu'd  with  worthy  qualities  ; 
Forgive  them  what  they  have  committed  here, 
And  let  them  be  recalPd  from  their  exile : 
They  are  reformed,  civil,  full  of  good, 
And  fit  for  great  employment,  worthy  lord. 

Diik.  Thou,  haft  prevaiPd  ;  I  pardon  them,  and  thee : 
Difpcse  of  them,  as  thou  know'ft  their  deserts. 


*  Vg-ona  /hall  not  hold 


7'be  two  Gentlemen  of  Verona, 


77 


Come,  let  us  go;  we  will  include  all  jars 
With  triumphs,  mirth,  and  rare  folemnity. 

Val*  And,  as  we  walk  along,  I  dare  be  bold 
With  our  difcourfe  to  make  your  grace  to  fmile  : 
What  think  you  of  this  page,  my  lord  ? 

Duk.    I  think,  the  boy  hath  grace  in  him  ;  he  blufhes. 

Val.  I  warrant  you,  my  lord;  more  grace  than  boy, 

Duk.    What  mean  you  by  that  faying  ? 

Val.  'Please  you,  I'll  tell  you  as  we  pafs  along, 
That  you  will  wonder,  what  hath  fortuned  — 
Come,  Protheus\  'tis  your  penance,  but  to  hear 
The  itory  of  your  loves  discovered  : 
That  done,  our  day  of  marriage  fhall  be  yours ; 
One  feall,  one  houfe,  one  mutual  happinefs. 

[Exeunf. 


The 


M E R R T  WIVE S 

of 

WINDSOR. 


Perfons  represented. 


Sir  John  Falftaff: 
Nym,  1 

Piftol,        >  his  Followers  : 
Bardolph,  j 
Robin,  bis  Page  : 
Hojl  of  the  garter  Inn. 

P^ge'  }  ^ent^men  °f  Windfor  : 

William,  Son  to  Page  : 

Sir  Hugh  Evans,  a  Welch  Pm 

Shallow,  a  country  Jujiice  : 

Slender,  his  Cousin,  a  foolijh  'Squire,  1  Suitors 

Fenton,  a  young  Gentleman,  >  to  Page's 

Doclcr  Caius,  a  French  Physician,     J  Daughter, 

Rugby,  Servant  to  D.  Caius  : 

Simple,  Servant  to  Slender  : 

Robert  }  Servax*s  '*  Ford's  Fami/J- 

Miftrefs  Ford. 
Miftrefs  Page  : 

Miftrefs  Anne,  her  Daughter,  in  Love  nvith  Fenton. 
Miftrefs  Quickly,  Houfe-keeper  to  Z).  Caius. 


Scene,  Windfor  ;  and  Parts  adjacent* 


The 

MERRY  WIVES  of  WINDSOR. 


ACT  h 

SCENE  h  Before  Page's  Houfe. 
Enter  Jufiice  Shallow,  Slender, 
and  Sir  Hugh  Evans. 

Shal.  Sir  Hugh,  perfuade  me  not;  I  will  make  a 
Har-chamber  matter  of  it  :  if  he  were  twenty  fir  John 
Falfiaffsy  he  mail  not  abuse  Robert  Shallow,  elquire,— 

Slen*  In  the  county  of  Glofter,  juftice  of  peace  and 
coram, 

Shal,  Ay,  cousin  Slender,  and  cuftalorum. 

Slen.  Ay,  and  ratolorum  too  ;  and  a  gentleman  born, 
matter  parfon;  who  writes  himfelf,  arm:gero\  in  any  bill, 
warrant,  quittance,  or  obligation,  armigero. 

Shal  .  Ay,  that  I  do  ;  and  have  done,  any  time  these 
three  hundred  years. 

Slen.  All  his  fuccefTors,  gonebefore  him,  have  don't; 
and  all  his  anceftors,  that  come  after  him,  may  :  they 
may  give  the  dozen  white  luces  in  their  coat. 

Shal.  It  is  an  old  coat. 

Sir  H.  The  dozen  white  loufes  do  become  an  old  coat 
■*  hath  doa't 


Vol.  I. 


4 


The  merry  Wives  of  Wind  for. 


well ;  it  agrees  well  paffant :  it  is  a  familiar  beaft  to  man,- 
and  fignifies  —  love. 

Shal.  The  luce  [to  Slen.  flowing  him  his  Seal-ring.] 
is  the  frefh  fifh  ;  the  fait  fifti  is  an  old  coat. 

Slen,  I  may  quarter,  coz\ 

Shal.  You  may,  by  marrying. 

Sir  H.  It  is  marring,  indeed,  if  he  quarter  it. 

Shal.  Not  a  whit. 

Sir  H.  Yes,  py'r-lady  ;  if  he  has  a  quarter  of  your 
coat,  there  is  but  three  fkirts  for  yourfelf,  in  my  fimple 
conjectures :  but  that  is  all  one  :  If  fir  John  Faljiaff  have 
committed  difparagements  unto  you,  I  am  of  the  church, 
and  will  be  glad  to  do  my  benevolence,  to  make  atone- 
ments and  compremises  between  you 

Shal.  The  council  mall  hear  it;  it  is  a  riot. 

Sir  H.  It  is  not  meet  the  council  hear  a  riot ;  there  is 
no  fear  of  Got  in  a  riot  :  the  council,  look  you,  mall  de- 
sire to  hear  the  fear  of  Got,  and  not  to  hear  a  riot ;  take 
your  visaments  in  that. 

Shal.  Ha  !  o'  my  life,  if  I  were  young  again,  the 
fword  fhould  end  it. 

Sir  H.  It  is  petter  that  friends  is  the  fword,  and  end 
it:  and  there  is  alfo  another  device  in  my  prain,  which, 
peradventure,  prings  goot  difcretions  with  it:  There  is 
uinne  Page,  which  is  daughter  to  mafter  Thomas  Page, 
which  is  pretty  virginity. 

Slen.  Miftrefs  Anne  Page?  lhe  has  brown  hair,  and 
fpeaks  fmall  like  a  woman. 

Sir  H.  It  is  that  fery  perfon  for  all  the  'orld,  as  juft 
as  you  will  desire  ;  and  feven  hundred  pounds  of  mo- 
nies, and  gold,  and  filver,  is  her  grandfire,  upon  his 
death's  bed,  (Got  deliver  to  a  joyful  resurrections !) 


The  merty  Wives  of  Wind  for. 


s 


give,  when  me  is  able  to  overtake  feventeen  years  old: 
It  were  a  goot  motion,  if  we  leave  our  pribbl~>  and 
prabbles,  and  desire  a  marriage  between  mailer  Abrahamy 
and  mi  ft  re fs  Anne  Page. 

Shal.  Did  her  grandfire  leave  her  feven  hundred 
pound  ? 

Sir  H.  Ay,  and  his  father  is  make  her  a  petter 
penny. 

Shal  .  I  know  the  young  gentlewoman ;  (he  has  good 
gifts* 

Sir  H.  Seven  hundred  pounds,  and  poffibilities,  is 
good  gifts. 

Shal  .  Well,  let  us  fee  honeft  mafter  Page :  Is  Faljlaf 
there  I 

Sir  H.  Shall  I  tell  you  a  lye  ?  I  do  defpise  a  liar,  as 
I  do  defpise  one  that  is  falfe  ;  or,  as  I  defpise  one  that 
is  not  true  :  The  knight  (wjohn  is  there ;  and  I  befeech 
you,  be  ruled  by  your  well-willers  :  I  will  peat  the 
door  for  mafter  Page — What,  hoa !  Got  plefs  your  houfe 
here ! 

Enter  Page. 
Page.  Who's  there? 

Sir  H.  Here  is  Got's  plefling,  and  your  friend,  and 
juftice  Shallow:  and  here  is  young  mafter  Slender;  that, 
peradventures,  (hail  tell  you  another  tale,  if  matters 
grow  to  your  likings. 

Page.  I  am  glad  to  fee  your  worfhips  well  :  I  thank 
you  for  my  venison,  mafter  Shallow. 

Shal  .  Mafter  Page,  I  am  glad  to  fee  you  ;  Much 
good  do  it  your  good  heart  I  I  wifh'd  your  veni-on 
better  ;  it  was  ill  killed  :  —  How  doth  gooc  miftrefs 
Page  f  —  and  I  thank  you  always  with  my  heart,  la ; 


5  v,  Nate, 


The  merry  Wives  of  Wind  for. 


with  my  heart. 

Page.  Sir,  I  thank  you. 

Shal.  Sir,  I  thank  you;  by  yea  and  no,  I  do. 

Page.  I  am  glad  to  fee  you,  good  mailer  Slender. 

Slen.  How  does  your  fallow  greyhound,  fir?  I  heard 
fay,  he  was  out-run  on  CotfalL 

Page.  It  could  not  be  judg'd,  fir. 

Slen.  You'll  not  confefs,  you'll  not  confefs. 

Shal.  That  he  will  not;  —  'tis  your  fault,  'tis  your 
fault :  'Tis  a  good  dog. 

Page.  A  cur,  fir. 

Shal.  Sir,  he's  a  good  dog,  and  a  fair  dog  ;  Can 
there  be  more  faid  r  he  is  good,  and  fair.  Is  fir  John 
Falftaff here? 

Page.  Sir,  he  is  within  ;  and  T  would  I  could  do  a 
good  office  between  you. 

Sir  H.  It  is  fpoke  as  a  chriftians  ought  to  fpeak. 

Shal.  He  hath  wrong'd  me,  mafter  Page. 

Page.  Sir,  he  doth  in  fome  fort  confefs  it. 

Shal.  If  it  be  confeffed,  it  is  not  redre/Ted  ;  Is  not 
that  fo,  mafter  Page?  He  hath  wrong'd  me;  indeed,  he 
hath  ;  at  a  word,  he  hath  ;  believe  me  ;  Robert  Shallow 
efquire  faith,  he  is  wronged. 

Page.  Here  comes  fir  John. 

Enter  Sir  John  Fa l staff,  Nym,  Pistol, 
and  Bardolph. 

Fals.  Now,  mafter  Shallow ;  you'll  complain  of  me 
to  the  king  ? 

Shal.  Knight,  you  have  beaten  my  men,  kilPd  my 
deer,  and  broke  open  my  lodge. 

Fals.  But  not  kiiFd  your  keeper's  daughter  ? 
Shal.  Tut  a  pin  !  this  (hall  be  anfwer'd. 


The  merry  Wives  of  Windfor. 


7 


Fals.  I  will  anfwer  it  ftraight ;  —  I  have  done  all 
this  :  —  That  is  now  anfwer'd. 

Shal.  The  council  ftiall  know  this. 

Fals.  'Twere  better  for  you  if  it  were  known  in 
council  r  you'll  be  laugh'd  at. 

Sir  H.  Pauca  verba,  fir  John  ;  good  worts. 

Fals.  Good  worts  !  good  cabbage  :  —.Slender,  I  broke 
your  head  ;  What  matter* have  you  again!!  me  ? 

Slen.  Marry,  fir,  I  have  matter  in  my  head  againfl: 
you  ;  and  againfl:  your  coney-catching  rafcals,  Bardolpb, 
Nym,  and  PifloL 

Hard ,  You  Banbury  cheese  ! 

Slen.  Ay,  it  is  no  matter. 

PisT.    How  now,  Mephojlophilus? 

Slen.  Ay,  it  is  no  matter. 

NrM.  Slice,  I  fay  !  pauca,  pauca-,  flice  !  that's  my 
humour. 

Slen.  Where's  Simple  my  man  ?  —  can  you  tell, 
cousin  ? 

Sir  H.  Peace,  I  pray  you  !  Now  let  us  underfland  : 
There  is  three  umpires  in  this  matter,  as  I  underfland: 
that  is — mafter  Pager  fidelicet,  mafter  Page  ;  and  there  is 
myfe\f,Jide/icet,  myfelf ;  and  the  three  party  is,  laflly  and 
finally,  mine  hofl:  of  the  garter. 

Page.  We  three,  to  hear  it,  and  end  it  between 
them. 

Sir  H.  Fery  goot  :  I  will  make  a  prief  of  it  in  my 
note-book ;  and  we  will  afterwards  'ork  upon  the  cause, 
with  as  great  difcreetly  as  we  can. 

Fals.  Pijtol,— 

Pisr.  He  hears  with  ears. 

Sir  H.  The  tevil  and  his  tarn !  what  phrase  is  this, 

L  j 


8 


The  merry  Wives  of  Windfor. 


He  hears  with  ear  ?  Why,  it  is  affectations. 

Fals.  Pijfol,  did  you  pick  matter  Mender's  purfe? 

Slen.  Ay,  by  these  gloves,  did  he,  (or  T  would  I 
might  never  come  in  mine  own  great  chamber  again 
elfe)  of  feven  groats  in  mill-fixpences,  and  two  Edward 
fhovel-boards,  that  coft  me  two  milling  and  two-pence 
a-piece  of  Tead  Mi-ler,  by  these  gloves. 

Fals.  Is  this  true,  Pifiol? 

Sir  H,  No,  it  is  falfe,  if  it  is  a  pickpurfe. 

Fist.  Ha,  thou  mountain  foreigner  !  — 

Sir  John  and  matter  mine, 

I  combat  challenge  of  this  latten  bilboe  :  

Word  of  denial  in  thy  labras  here  ; 

Word  of  denial ;  froth  and  fcum,  thou  ly'ft. 

Slen.  By  these  gloves,  then  'twas  ~|~  he. 

hrM.  Be  avis'd,  fir,  and  pafs  good  humours:  I  will 
fay,  marry  trap,  with  you,  if  you  run  the  nuthook's 
humour  on  me  ;  that  is  the  very  note  of  it. 

Slen.  By  this  hat,  then "f" he  in  the  red  face  had  it: 
for  though  I  cannot  remember  what  I  did  when  you 
made  me  drunk,  yet  I  am  not  altogether  an  afs. 

Fals.  What  fay  you,  Scarlet  and  John? 

Bard.  Why,  fir,  for  my  part,  I  fay,  the  gentleman 
had  drunk  himfelf  out  of  his  five  fentences ; 

Sir  H.  It  is  his  five  fenfes  :  fie,  what  the  ignorance  is ! 

Bard.  And  being  fap,  fir,  was,  as  they  fay,  cafhier'd ; 
and  fo  conclusions  patt  the  careeres. 

Slen.  Ay,  you  fpake  in  Latin  then  too  ;  but  'tis  no 
matter  ;  I'll  ne'er  be  drunk  whilft  I  live  again,  but  in 
honett,  civil,  godly  company,  for  this  trick :  if  I  be 
drunk,  I'll  be  drunk  with  those  that  have  the  fear  of 
God,  and  not  with  drunken  knaves. 


The  merry  Wives  of  Windfor. 


9 


SirH.  So  Got'udge  me,  that  is  a  virtuous  mind. 
Fals.  You  hear  all  these  matters  deny'd,  gentlemen  ; 
you  hear  it. 

Enter  Mijlrefs  Anne  Page,  <with  Wine;  Mift.  Ford, 

and  Mifi.  ¥  age,  following  her. 
Page.  Nay,  daughter,  carry  the  wine  in ;  we'll  drink 
within. 

Slen.  O  heaven!  this  is  miftrefs  Anne  Page. 

Page.  How  now,  miftrefs  Ford P 

Fals.  Miftrefs  Ford,  by  my  troth,  you  are  very  well 
met  :  by  your  leave,  good  miftrefs.  [&i/fi7Ig  her. 

Page.  Wife,  bid  these  gentlemen  welcome  :_Come, 
we  have  a  hot  venison  pafty  to  dinner  ;  come,  gentle- 
men ;  I  hope,  we  mail  drink  down  all  unkindnefs. 

[Exeunt  All,  fo/  Shai..  Slen.  and  SirH.  Evans. 

Slen.  I  had  rather  than  forty  millings,  I  had  my 
book  of  fongs  and  fonnets  here  :  — 
Enter  Simple. 
How  now,  Simple;  where  have  you  been  ?  I  muft  wait 
on  myfelf,  muft  I  ?  Yua  have  not  the  book  of  riddles 
about  you,  have  you? 

Simp.  Book  of  riddles!  why,  did  you  not  lend  it  to 
Mice  Short-cake,  upon  Alhalloivmas  laft,  a  fortnight  afore 
Michaelmas  ? 

Shal.  Come,  coz  ;  come,  coz ;  we  ftay  for  you.  A 
word  with  you,  coz  :  marry,  this,  coz  ;  There  is,  as 
'twere,  a  tender,  a  kind  of  tender,  made  afar  off  by  fir 
Hugh  here  ;  —  Do  you  underftand  me  ? 

Slen.  Ay,  fir,  you  mail  find  me  reasonable;  if  it  be 
fo,  I  mail  do  that  that  is  reason. 

Shal.  Nay,  but  underftand  me. 

Slen.  So  I  do,  fir. 

L4 


To  The  merry  Wives  of  Windfor. 

Sir  H.  Give  ear  to  his  motions,  matter  Slender  :  I 
will  defcription  the  matter  to  you,  if  you  be  capacity 
of  it. 

Slen.  Nay,  I  will  do  as  my  cousin  Shallow  fays  : 
I  pray  you,  pardon  me ;  he's  a  juftice  of  peace  in  his 
country,  fimple  though  I  Hand  here. 

Sir  H.  But  that  is  not  the  queftion  ;  the  queftion  is 
concerning  your  marriage. 

Shal.  Ay,  there's  the  point,  fir. 

Sir  H.  Marry?  is  it ;  the  very  point  of  it;  to  miflxefs 
Anne  Page. 

Slen.  Why,  if  it  be  fo,  I  will  marry  her,  upon  any 
reasonable  demands. 

Sir  H.  But  can  you  afFe&ion  the  'oman  ?  let  us  com- 
mand to  know  that  of  your  mouth,  or  of  your  lips  ;  

for  divers  philofophers  hold,  that  the  lips  is  parcel  of 
the  mouth ; —Therefore,  precifely,  can  you  carry  your 
good  will  to  the  maid  ? 

Shal.  Cousin  Abraham  Slender^  can  you  love  her  ? 

Slen.  I  hope,  fir,  —  I  will  do  as  it  mail  become  one 
that  would  do  reason. 

Sir  H.  Nay,  Got's  lords  and  his  ladies,  you  muft 
fpeak  pcssitable,  if  you  can  carry  her  your  desires  to- 
wards her. 

Shal.  That  you  muft;  Will  you,  upon  good  dowry, 
marry  her  ? 

Slen.  I  will  do  a  greater  thing  than  that,  upon  your 
requeft,  cousin,  in  any  reason. 

Shal.  Nay,  conceive  me,  conceive  me,  fweet  coz  ; 
what  I  do  is  to  pleasure  you,  coz  :  Can  you  love  the 
maid  ? 

,  Slen.  I  will  marry  her,  fir,  at  your  requeft ;  but  if 


The  merry  V/ivcs  ^Windfor. 


it 


there  be  no  great  love  in  the  beginning,  yet  heaven 
may  decreafe  it  upon  better  acquaintance,  when  we  are 
marry'd,  and  have  more  occasion  to  know  one  another: 
I  hope,  upon  familiarity  will  grow  more  content :  but 
if  you  fay,  marry  her,  I  will  marry  her,  that  lam  freely 
dissolv'd,  and  difTolutely. 

Sir  II.  It  is  a  fery  difcretion  anfwer  ;  fave  the  fauP 
is  in  the  'ort,  diffolutely  :  the  'ort  is,  according  to  our 
meaning,  resolutely  ;  —  his  meaning  is  good. 

Shal.  Ay,  I  think  my  cousin  meant  well. 

Slen.  Ay,  or  elfe  I  would  I  might  be  hang'd,  la. 
Re-enter  Anne  Page. 

Shal.  Here  comes  fair  mirtrefs  Anne :  _  'Would  I 
were  young,  for  your  fake,  mirtrefs  Anne  ! 

Anne.  The  dinner  is  on  the  cable ;  my  father  desires 
your  worfhips'  company. 

Shal.  I  will  wait  on  him,  fair  mifirefs  Anne. 

Sir  H.  Od's  plefTed  will  !  I  will  not  be  abfence  at 
the  grace.     [Exeunt  Shallow,  ana  Sir  Hugh  Evans. 

Anne.  WilPt  please  your  worihip  to  come  in,  fir? 

Slen.  No,  I  thank  you,  forfooth,  heartily j  I  am 
very  well. 

Anne.  The  dinner  attends  ycu,  fir. 

Slen.    1  am  not  a-hungry,  1  thank  you,  forfocth  :  

Go,  firrah,  for  all  you  are  my  man,  go,  wait  upon  my 
cousin  Shallow,  [Exit  Simple.]  a  juftice  of  peace  fome- 
time  may  be  beholding  to  his  friend  for  a  man  :  [ 
keep  but  three  men  and  a  boy  yet,  'till  my  mother  be 
dead :  But  what  though  r  yet  I  live  like  a  poor  gentle- 
man born. 

Anne.  I  may  not  go  in  without  ycur  worfhip  :  they 
\vill  not  fit,  'till  ycu  come. 


1 2  The  merry  Wives  of  Wind/or* 

Slen.  I'faith,  Til  eat  nothing  :  I  thank  you  as  much 
as  though  I  did. 

Anne.  I  pray  you,  fir,  walk  in. 

Sl  en.  I  had  rather  walk  here,  I  thank  you  :  I  bruis'd 
my  fhin  th'  other  day  with  playing  at  fword  and  dag- 
ger with  a  mafter  of  fence,  three  veneys  for  a  difh  of 
ftew'd  prunes ;  and,  by  my  troth,  I  cannot  abide  the 
fmell  of  hot  meat  fince.  Why  do  your  dogs  bark  fo  ?  be 
there  bears  i'  th*  town  ? 

Anne.  I  think,  there  are,  fir ;  I  heard  them  talk'd  of. 

Slen.  I  love  the  fport  well ;  but  I  lhall  as  foon  quar- 
rel at  it,  as  any  man  in  England :~  You  are  afraid,  if 
you  fee  the  bear  loofe,  are  you  not  ? 

Anne.  Ay,  indeed,  fir. 

Slen.  That's  meat  and  drink  to  me  now:  I  have 
feen  Sackerfon  loofe,  twenty  times  ;  and  have  taken  him 
by  the  chain :  but,  I  warrant  you,  the  women  have  fo 
cry'd  and  fhriek'd  at  it,  that  it  pafT'd  :  ~  but  women, 
indeed,  cannot  abide  'em;  they  are  very  ill-favour'd 
rough  things. 

Re-enter  Page. 
Page.  Come,  gentle  mafter  Slender,  come  ;  we  ftay 
for  you. 

Slen.  I'll  eat  nothing,  I  thank  you,  fir. 
Page.  By  cock  and  pye,  you  fhall  not  choose,  fir : 
come,  come. 

Slen    Nay,  pray  you,  lead  the  way. 
Page.  Come  on,  fir. 

Slen.    Miftrefs  Anne,  yourfelf  (hall  go  firft. 
Anne.  Not  I,  fir;  pray  you,  keep  on. 
Slen .   Truly,  I  will  riot  go  firft  ;  truly,  la  :  I  will 
not  do  you  that  wrong. 


The  merry  Wives  of  Windfor.  13 
Anne*  I  pray  you,  fir. 

Slen.  I'll  rather  be  unmannerly,  than  troublefome: 
You  do  yourfelf  wrong,  indeed,  la.  [Exeunt. 

SCENE  II.  The  fame. 
Enter  Sir  Hugh  Evans,  WSimple. 
Sir  H.  Go  your  ways,  and  afk  of  doctor  Cuius*  houfe, 
which  is  the  way  :  and  there  dwells  one  miitrefs  Quickly* 
which  is  in  the  manner  of  his  nurfe,  or  his  dry  nurfe,  or 
his  cook,  or  his  laundry,  his  wafher,  and  his  wringer. 
Simp.  Well,  fir. 

Sir  H.  Nay,  it  is  petter  yet:  — give  her  this  =j=  letter; 
for  it  is  a  'oman  that  altogethers  acquaintance  with 
miftrefs  Anne  Page  ;  and  the  letter  is,  to  desire  and  re- 
quire her  to  folicit  your  matter's  desires  to  miftrefs  Anne 
Page :  I  pray  you,  be  gone ;  I  will  make  an  end  of  my 
dinner  ;  there's  pippins  and  cheese  to  come. 

[  Exeunt,  federally. 

5  CENE  III .  A  Room  in  the  garter  Inn. 
Enter  Falstaff,  Hofc,  Bardolph,  Pistol, 
Nym,  and  Robin. 
Fjls.  Mine  holl  of  the  garter,— 
Hoji.    What  fays  my  bully  rook  ?  fpeak  fchollarly, 
and  wisely. 

Fals.  Truly,  mine  holt,  I  mull  turn  away  fome  of 
my  followers. 

Hoji.  Difcard,  bully  Hercules ;  cafhier :  let  them  wag ; 
trot,  trot. 

Fals.  I  fit  at  ten  pounds  a  week. 

Hoft.  Thou'rt  an  emperor,  Cesar  y  Keisar,  and  Pheasar. 
I  vyill  entertain  Bardolph  5  he  lhall  draw,  he  mall  tap  ; 


?4  Vie  merry  Wives  of  Windfor. 

Said  I  well,  bully  HeBor? 

Fals.  Do  fo,  good  mine  hoft. 

Hoji.  I  have  fpoke  ;  let  him  follow  :  —  Let  me  fee 
thee  froth  and  lime :  I  am  at  a  word ;  follow. 

[Exit  Hoft. 

Fals.  Bardolphy  follow  him  ;  a  tapfter  is  a  good 
trade  :  An  old  cloak  makes  a  new  jerkin  ;  a  wither'd 
ferving-man,  a  frefh  tapfter:  Go;  adieu. 

Bard.  It  is  a  life  that  I  have  desir'd :  I  will  thrive. 

[Exit  Bardolph. 
Pi  sr.    O  bafe  Gongarian  wight  \  wilt  thou  the  fpigot 
wield  ? 

Ntm.  He  was  gotten  in  drink  :  Is  not  the  humour 
conceited  ? 

Fals.  I  am  glad,  I  am  fo  acquit  of  this  tinder-box  ; 
his  thefts  were  too  open  :  his  filching  was  like  an  un- 
fkilful  finger,  he  kept  not  time. 

Nym.  The  good  humour  is,  to  fteal  at  a  minute's 
reft. 

Pisr.  Convey,  the  wise  it  call :  Steal !  foh  ;  a  fico 
for  the  phrase ! 

Fals.    Well,  firs,  I  am  almoft  out  at  heels. 

Pisr,    Why  then,  let  kybes  enfue. 

Fals.  There  is  no  remedy  ;  I  muft  coney-catch,  I 
muft  fhift. 

Pisr.    Young  ravens  muft  have  food. 
.  Fals.    Which  of  you  know  Ford  of  this  town  ? 

Pisr.    I  ken  the  wight ;  he  is  of  fubftance  good. 

Fals.  My  honeft  lads,  I  will  tell  you  what  I  am 
about. 

Pisr.    Two  yards,  and  more. 

Fals.  No  quips  now,  Pijlol :  Indeed,  I  am  in  the 


The  merry  Wi-ves  of  Windfor.  r; 


wafte  two  yards  about  :  but  I  am  now  about  no  wafte ; 
I  am  about  thrift.  Briefly,  I  do  mean  to  make  love  to 
Ford's  wife;  I  fpy  entertainment  in  her;  me  difcourfes, 
ihe  carves,  me  gives  the  leer  of  invitation  :  I  can  con- 
iirue  the  a&ion  of  her  familiar  Hile  ;  and  the  hardelt 
voice  of  her  behaviour,  to  be  englilh'd  rightly,  is,  I  am 
fir  JohnFalftafPs. 

Pisr.  He  hath  ftudy'd  her  will,  and  tranflated  her 
will ;  out  of  honefty  into  Englijb. 

NrM.  The  anchor  is  deep  :  VVill  that  humour  pafs  ? 

Fals.  Now,  the  report  gees,  fhe  hath  all  the  rule  of 
her  husband's  purfe  ;  Ihe  hath  legions  of  angels. 

Pisr.  As  many  devils  entertain  ;  and,  To  her,  boy, 
fay  I. 

NrM.  The  humour  rises  ;  it  is  good :  humour  me 
the  angels. 

Fals.  I  have  writ  me  here  "J"  a  letter  to  her:  and 
here  another  ~|~  to  Pages  wife ;  who  even  now  gave  me 
good  eyes  too,  examin'd  my  parts  with  moft  judicious 
oeillacks  :  fometimes  the  beam  of  her  view  gilded  my 
foot,  fometimes  my  portly  belly. 

Pisr.  Then  did  the  fun  on  dunghill  mine. 

NrM.  I  thank  thee  for  that  humour. 

Fals.  O,  Hie  did  fo  courfe-o'er  my  exteriors  with 
fuch  a  greedy  intention,  that  the  appetite  of  her  eye 
did  feem  to  fcorch  me  up  like  a  burning- glafs  !  Here's 
~j~  another  letter  to  her :  ihe  bears  the  purfe  too ;  fhe  is 
a  region  in  Guiana,  all  gold  and  bounty.  I  will  be 
'cheator  to  them  both,  and  they  lhall  be  exchequers  to 
me  ;  they  fhall  be  my  EaJI  and  Weft-Indies,  and  I  will 
trade  to  them  both.  Go,  bear  thou  ~f"  this  letter  to  mif- 
trefs  Page  \  and  thou  "j~  this  to  miftrefs  Ford :  we  will 


a0  illiada    *s>  Cheators 


i6 


The  merry  Wives  of  Windfor. 


thrive,  lads,  we  will  thrive. 

PisT.  Shall  1  fir  Pandarus  of  T rcy  become, 
And  by  my  fide  wear  fteel  ?  then,  Lucifer  take  all  ! 

Ntm.  I  will  run  no  bafe  humour  :  here,  take  the 
humour  letter ;  I  will  keep  the  'haviour  of  reputation. 
Fals.  Hold,  firrah,  [to  Rob.]  bear  you  =f=  these  let- 
ters tightly  ; 

Sail,  like  my  pinnace,  to  the  golden  flhores.  

Rogues,  hence,  avaunt,  vanifh  like  hailftones,  go  ; 
Trudge,  plod,  away,  o'the  hoof,  feek  ftielter,  pack  ! 
Fal/iaffwiW  learn  the  humour  of  this  age, 
French  thrift,  you  rogues,  myfelf  and  fkirted  page. 

[Exeunt  Falstaff,  and  Robin, 
PisT.  Let  vultures  gripe  thy  guts !  for  gourd  and 
Fullam  holds  ; 
And  high  and  low  beguiles  the  rich  and  poor : 
Teller  I'll  have  in  pouch,  when  thou  (halt  lack, 
Bafe  Phrygian  Turk  I 

Nym.  I  have  operations  in  my  head,  which  be  hu- 
mours of  revenge. 

PisT.  Wilt  thou  revenge  ? 
Ntm.  By  welkin,  and  her  ftar  ! 
PisT.  With  wit,  or  fteel  ?  1 
AVa/.  With  both  the  humours  I: 
I  will  difcufs  the  humour  of  this  love  to  Ford. 
Pisr.  And  I  to  Page  ftiall  eke  unfold, 
How  Falftajf,  varlet  vile, 
His  dove  will  prove,  his  gold  will  hold, 
And  his  foft  couch  defile. 
NrM.  My  humour  fhall  not  cool :  I  will  incenfe  Ford 
to  deal  with  poison  ;  I  will  possefs  him  with  yellownefs, 
for  the  revolt  of  mien  is  dangerous  :  that  is  my  true 


10  plod  away  o'th'  heofe    32  of  mine 


The  merry  Wives  of  Windfor.  1 7 

humour. 

Pisr.  Thou  art  the  Mars  of  male-contents :  I  fecond 
thee;  troop  on.  [Exeunt. 

SCENE  IV.  ARoominDoBor  Cams  Houfe. 
Enter  Mijlrefs  Quickly,  Simple,  and  John  Rugby. 

Quic.  What ;  John  Rugby  /  _  I  pray  thee,  go  to  the 
casement ;  and  fee  if  you  can  fee  my  mafter,  mafter 
do£lor  Caiusy  coming:  if  he  do,  i'faith,  and  find  any 
body  in  the  houfe,  here  will  be  an  old  abusing  of  God's 
patience,  and  the  king's  EngUJh. 

Rugb.  I'll  go  watch.  [Exit  Rugby. 

Quic.   Go;  and  we'll  have  a  poffet  for't  foon  ac 

night,  i'faith,  at  the  latter  end  of  a  fea-coal  fire.  

An  honeft,  willing,  kind  fellow,  as  ever  fervant  fhall 
come  in  houfe  withal;  and,  I  warrant  you,  no  tell-tale, 
nor  no  breed-bate  :  his  worft  fault  is,  that  he  is  given 
to  prayer  ;  he  is  fomething  peevifli  that  way  :  but  no 
body  but  has  his  fault;  — but  let  that  pafs.  Peter  Simple, 
you  fay,  your  name  is  ? 

Simp.  Ay,  for  fault  of  a  better. 

Quic.  And  mafter  Slender' s  your  mafter  ? 

Simp.  Ay,  forfooth. 

Quic.  Does  he  not  wear  a  great  round  beard,  like  a 
glover's  paring- knife  ? 

Simp.  No,  forfooth  :  he  hath  but  a  little  whey- face, 
with  a  little  yellow  beard  ;  a  cane-colour'd  beard. 

Quic.  A  foftly-fp'rited  man,  is  he  not  ? 

Simp.  Ay,  forfooth  :  but  he  is  as  tall  a  man  of  his 
hands,  as  any  is  between  this  and  his  head  ;  he  hath 
fought  with  a  warrener. 

£>uict  How  fay  you  ?  —  oh,  I  ftiould  remember  him; 


*6  we«-face 


The  merry  Wives  of  Wind  for. 


Does  he  not  hold  up  his  head,  as  it  were,  and  ftrat  in 
his  gait  t 

Simp.  Yes,  indeed,  does  he. 

£h/'C.  Well,  heaven  fend  Anne  Page  no  worfe  for- 
tune !  Tell  mailer  paifon  E<vansy  I  will  do  whac  \  can 
for  your  matter :  Anne  is  a  good  girl  ;  and  I  wifh  — 
Re-enter  Rugby,  haftily. 

Rugb.  Cut,  alas  !  here  comes  my  mailer. 

Quic.  We  fhall  all  be  fhent:__Run  in  here,  good 
young  man  ;  go  into  this  closet;  [Shuts  him  in.]  he  will 
not  flay  long —  What,  John  Rugby  ;  John  I  what,  John 

I  fay!  Go,  John,  go,  enquire  for  my  mailer;  I  doubt 

he  be  not  well,  that  he  comes  not  home :   and  down, 

do-ixn,  ado^n-a,  &c.  \finging' 
Enter  Doclor  Caius. 

D.  Cai.  Vat  is  you  fing  ?  I  do  not  like  dese  toys  : 
Pray  you,  go  and  vetch  me  in  my  closet  un  boitier 
<verd;  a  box,  a  green -a  box  Do  intend  vat  I  fpeak  ?t- 
a  green-a  box. 

iguic.  Ay,  forfooth,  I'll  fetch  it  you.  "  I  am  glad" 
"he  went  not  in  himfelf :  if  he  had  found  the  young" 
•'man,  he  would  have  been  horn-mad." 

D.  Cai.  Fe,  fe,  fe,  fe  !  ;na  foi,  il  fait  fort  chaud.  Jt 
men  <vai  a  la  ccur,  —  la  granae  affaire, 

£>uic.     Js  it  this,  fir  ? 

D.  Cai.  Oui  ;  mette  le  au  mon  pocket ;  depecbe,  quick- 
ly :  —  Vere  is  dat  knave  Rugby  ? 

£>uic.     What,  John  Rugby  ;  John  ! 
Rugb.    Here,  fir. 

D.  Cai.  You  are  John  Rugby,  and  you  are  Jack 
Rugby  :  Come,  take-a  your  rapier,  and  come  after  my 
heel  to  de  court. 


»7  unboytecne 


The  merry  Wives  of  Windfor. 


l9 


Rugb.   'Tis  ready,  fir,  here  in  the  porch. 

D.  Cat.  By  my  trot,  I  tarry  too  long  :  —  Od's  me !  qu 
ay  je  oublie  ?  dere  is  fome  fimples  in  my  closet,  dat  1 
vil  not  for  de  varld  J  mail  leave  behind. 

£>uic.  Ah  me  !  he'll  find  the  young  man  there,  and 
be  mad. 

D.  Cat.  O  diable,  diable!  vat  is  in  my  closet  ?— Vil- 
lany,  larron! — {pulling  Simple  out.]  Rugby,  my  rapier. 

iguic.     Good  matter,  be  content. 

D.  Cat.  Verefore  (hall  I  be  content-a  ? 

Quia.     The  young  man  is  an  honeft  man. 

D.  Cat.  Vat  mall  de  honelt  man  do  in  my  closet  ? 
dere  is  no  honert  man  dat  mall  come  in  my  closet. 

£)utc.  I  befeech  you,  be  not  fo  flegmatic  ;  hear  the 
truth  of  it.  He  came  of  an  errand  to  me  from  parfon 
Hugh  : 

D.  Cat.  Veil. 

Simp.     Ay,  forfooth  ;  to  desire  her  to— 
£>utc.     Peace,  I  pray  you. 

D.  Cat.  Peace- a  your  tongue  ;_Speak-a  your  tale. 

Simp.  To  desire  this  honeft  gentlewoman,  your 
maid,  to  fpeak  a  good  word  to  miilrefs  Anne  Page  for 
my  mafter  in  the  way  of  marriage. 

£>uic.  This  is  all,  indeed-la;  but  I'll  ne'er  put  my 
finger  in  the  fire,  and  need  not. 

D.  Cat.  Sir  Hugh  fend  a  you  r  Rugby,  baillex  me 
fome  paper :_- Tarry  you  a  lktle-a  while. 

[sitting  down  to  write* 

5hjic.  I  am  glad,  he  is  fo  quiet:  if  he  had  been 
throughly  moved,  you  mould  have  heard  him  fo  loud 
and  fo  melancholy But  notwithstanding,  man,  Til  do 
your  mailer  what  good  1  can  :  and  the  very  yea  and  the 

ae  tallow  mee 


Vol.  I. 


M 


io  The  merry  Wives  of  Windfor. 


no  is,  the  French  doftor  my  matter,  —  I  may  call  him 
my  mafter,  look  you,  for  I  keep  his  houfe  ;  and  I  warn, 
wring,  brew,  bake,  fcour,  drefs  meat  and  drink,  make 
the  beds,  and  do  all  myfelf. 

Simp.  'Tis  a  great  charge,  to  come  under  one  bo- 
dy's hand. 

Quic.  Are  you  avis'd  o'  that  ?  you  fhall  find  it  a 
great  charge :  And  to  be  up  early,  and  down  late ;  — 
but  notwithstanding,  (to  tell  you  in  your  ear  ;  I  would 
have  no  words  of  it)  my  mafter  himfelf  is  in  love  with 
miftrefs  Anne  Page  :  but  notwithftanding  that,— I  know 
Anne's  mind,— that's  neither  here  nor  there. 

ZX  Cai.  You,  jack'nape  ;  give-a  dis  =f=  letter  to  fir 
Hugh ;  by  gar,  it  is  a  fhallenge  :  I  vill  cut  his  troat  in 
de  park ;  and  I  vill  teach  a  fcurvy  jackanape  prieft  to 
meddle  or  make:— you  may  be  gone;  it  is  not  good 
you  tarry  here  :  —  by  gar,  1  vill  cut  all  his  two  ftones ; 
by  gar,  he  fhall  not  have  a  ftone  to  trow  at  his  dog. 

[Exit  Simple. 

gh/ic.     Alas,  he  fpeaks  but  for  his  friend. 

D.  Cai.  It  is  no  matter-a  for  dat:— do  not  you  tell- 
&  me,  dat  I  mail  have  Anne  Page  for  myfelf?  —  by  gar, 
I  vill  kill  de  jack  prieft  ;  and  I  have  appointed  mine 
hoft  of  dejarteer  to  measure  our  weapon :  —  by  gar,  I 
vill  myfelf  have  Anne  Page. 

Quic.  Sir,  the  maid  loves  you,  and  all  fhall  be 
well:  we  muft  give  folks  leave  to  prate  ;  What,  the 
good  year  ! 

D.  Cai.  Rugby,  come  to  de  court  vit  me  :  —  By  gar, 
if  I  have  not  Anne  Page9  I  fhall  turn  your  head  out  of 
door  :_Follow  my  heels,  Rugby. 

[Exeunt  Caius,  and  Rugby. 

28  good-jer 


The  merry  Wives  of  Wlndfor. 


£>yic.  You  fhall  have  An  fool's  head  of  your  own 
No,  I  {enow  Anne's  mind  for  that :  never  a  woman  in 
Wind/or  knows  more  of  Anne's  mind  than  I  do;  nor  can 
do  more  than  I  do  with  her,  I  thank  heaven. 

FenT.  [within.]  Who's  within  there,  ho  ? 

£>uic.  Who's  there,  I  trow  ?  come  near  the  houfe,  I 
pray  you. 

Enter  Fenton. 
Fent.  How  now,  good  woman  ;  how  doll  thou  ? 
£>uic.   The  better  that  it  pleases  your  good  worlhip 
to  afk. 

FenT.  What  news  r  how  does  pretty  mittrefs  Anne  P 

£>uic.  In  truth,  fir,  and  me  is  pretty,  and  honeft, 
and  gentle ;  and  one  that  is  your  friend,  I  can  tell  you 
that  by  the  way,  I  praise  heaven  for  it. 

Fen?.  Shall  I  do  any  good,  think'ft  thou  ?  mail  I 
not  lose  my  fuit  ? 

Quic.  'Troth,  fir,  all  is  in  his  hands  above  :  but 
notwithstanding,  mailer  Fenton,  I'll  be  fworn  on  a  book, 
fhe  loves  you ;  Have  not  your  worlhip  a  wart  above  your 
eye  ? 

Fent.  Yes,  marry,  have  I;  What  of  that  ? 

Quic.  Well,  thereby  hangs  a  tale ;_  good  faith,  it 
is  fuch  another  Nan;  —  but,  1  detell,  an  honell  maid  as 
ever  broke  bread  :  We  had  an  hour's  talk  of  that  wart; 
I  fhall  never  laugh  but  in  that  maid's  company  :  but, 
indeed,  Ihe  is  given  too  much  to  allicholly  and  musing: 
But,  for  you— well,  go  to. 

Fent.  Well,  I  fhall  fee  her  to-day :  Hold,  there's  =f 
money  for  thee  ;  let  me  have  thy  voice  in  my  behalf : 
if  thou  fee'll  her  before  me,  commend  me— * 

Quic.  Will  I?  i'faith,  that  we  will ;  and  I  will  tell 

M  2 


22 


The  merry  Wives  of  Windfcr* 


your  worfhip  more  of  the  wart,  the  next  time  we  have 
confidence ;  and  of  other  wooers.  .> 

FenT.  Well,  farewel ;  I  am  in  great  hafte  now.  [Exit. 

£)uic.  Farewel  to  your  worfhip — Truly,  an  honeft 
gentleman;  but  Anne  loves  him  not ;  for  I  know  Anne  s 
mind  as  well  as  another  does  :  Out  upon't !  what  have 
I  forgot  ?  [Exit. 


JCT  IL 

SCENE  I.  Before  Page's  Houfe. 
Enter  Miftrefs  Page*  with  a  Letter. 

M.  Pa.  What,  have  I  Tcap'd  love-letters  in  the  ho- 
liday time  of  my  beauty,  and  am  I  now  a  fubjedt  for 
them  ?  Let  me  fee  :  [reads. 
Afk  me  no  reason  vohy  I  love  you ;  for  though  love 
use  reason  for  his  precisian,  he  admits  him  not  for  his 
counjellor  :  You  are  not  young,  no  more  am  1 ;  go  to 
then,  there's  fympathy  :  you  are  merry,  fo  am  I ;  Ha  ! 
ha  !  then  there's  more  fympathy  :  you  love  fack,  and  fo 
do  I ;  Would  you  desire  better  fympathy  ?  let  it  fuffice 
thee,  mijlrefs  Page,  ( at  the  leaf,  if  the  love  of foldier 
can  fuffice )  that  I  love  thee ;  I  vjill  not  fay,  pity  me,  'tis 
not  a  joldier-like  phrase  ;  but  I  fay,  love  me.  By  me, 

^hine  own  true  knight, 

By  day  or  night, 

Or  any  kind  of  light, 

With  all  his  might 

For  thee  to  fight, 

John  FalftafT. 

What  a  Herod  of  Jivury  is  this  ?  —  O  wicked,  wicked 


The  merry  Wives  of  Windfor.  23 


world !  —  one  that  is  well -nigh  worn  to  pieces  with 
age,  to  fhow  himfelf  a  young  gallant !  What  one  un- 
weigh'd  behaviour  hath  this  Flemijh  drunkard  pick'd 
(with  the  devil's  name)  out  of  my  converfation,  that 
he  dares  in  this  manner  aflay  me  ?  Why,  he  hath  not 
been  thrice  in  my  company —  What  Ihould  I  fay  to 
him  ?  —  I  was  then  frugal  of  my  mirth  :  Heaven  for- 
give me !  Why,  I'll  exhibit  a  bill  in  the  parliament 
for  the  putting  down  of  men.  How  fhall  I  be  reveng'd 
on  him  ?  for  reveng'd  I  will  be,  as  fure  as  his  guts  arc 
made  of  puddings. 

Enter  Miftrefs  Ford. 
M.  Fo.  Miftrefs  Page/  truft  me,  I  was  going  to  your 
houfe. 

M.  Pa,  And,  truft  me,  I  was  going  to  you.  You  look 
very  ill. 

M.  Fo.  Nay,  Ml  ne'er  believe  that  ;  I  have  to  mew 
to  the  contrary. 

M.Pa.  'Faith,  but  you  do,  in  my  mind. 

M.  Fo.  Well,  I  do  then  ;  yet,  I  fay,  I  could  lhew 
you  to  the  contrary  :  O,  miftrefs  Page,  give  me  fomc 
counfel ! 

M.  Pa.  What's  the  matter,  woman  ? 

M.  Fo.  O  woman,  if  it  were  not  for  one  trifling  re- 
fpeft,  I  could  come  to  fuch  honour! 

M.  Pa.  Hang  the  trifle,  woman  ;  take  the  honour  : 
What  is  it  ?— difpence  with  trifles ;— what  is  it  ? 

M.  Fo.  If  I  would  but  go  to  hell  for  an  eternal  mo- 
ment, or  fo,  I  could  be  knighted. 

M.  Pa.  What,  —  thou  ly'ft  ?  —  fir  Alice  Ford!  These 
knights  will  hack  ;  and  fo  thou  fhould'ft  not  alter  the 
article  of  thy  gentry. 

z  What  an  un- 

M  j 


24 


The  merry  Wives  ef  Windfor. 


M.  Fo.  We  burn  daylight:  here,  ^  read,  read  ;  per- 
ceive how  I  might  be  knighted — I  fhall  think  the  worfe 
of  fat  men,  as  long  as  I  have  an  eye  to  make  difference 
of  men's  liking  :  And  yet  he  would  not  fwear;  prais'd 
women's  modefty  ;  and  gave  fuch  orderly  and  well- 
behaved  reproof  to  all  uncomelinefs,  that  I  would  have 
fworn  his  difposition  would  have  gone  to  the  truth  of 
his  words :  but  they  do  no  more  adhere,  and  keep  place 
together,  than  the  hundredth  pfalm  to  the  tune  of  Green 
Jleeves.  What  tempeft,  I  trow,  threw  this  whale,  with  fo 
many  tuns  of  oil  in  his  belly,  a-fhore  at  Wind/or?  How 
fhall  I  be  reveng'd  on  him  ?  I  think,  the  beft  way  were 
to  entertain  him  with  hope,  'till  the  wicked  fire  of  luft 

have  melted  him  in  his  own  greafe  Did  you  ever  hear 

the  like? 

M.  Pa.  Letter  for  letter ;  but  that  the  name  of  Page 
and  Ford  differs !  —  To  thy  great  comfort  in  this  myf- 
tery  of  ill  opinions,  here's  =j=  the  twin  brother  of  thy 
letter  :  but  let  thine  inherit  firft ;  for,  I  proteft,  mine 
never  fhall.  I  warrant,  he  hath  a  thousand  of  these  let- 
ters, writ  with  blank  fpace  for  different  names,  (fure, 
more)  and  these  are  of  the  fecond  edition  :  He  will 
print  them,  out  of  doubt  ;  for  he  cares  not  what  he 
puts  into  the  prefs,  when  he  would  put  us  two  :  I  had 
rather  be  agiantefs,  and  lye  under  mount  Pelion.  Well, 
I  will  find  you  twenty  lafcivious  turtles,  e'er  one  chait 
man. 

M.  Fo.  Why,  this  is  the  very  fame,  the  very  hand, 
the  very  words ;  What  doth  he  think  of  us  ? 

M.  Pa.  Nay,  I  know  not It  makes  me  almoft  rea- 
dy to  wrangle  with  mine  own  honelty  :  I'll  entertain 
myfelf  like  one  that  I  am  not  acquainted  withal  ;  for, 


*  praife    5  hundred  Pfalmes 


The  merry  Wives  of  Wind  for. 


furc,  unlefs  he  know  Tome  flrain  in  me,  that  I  know  not 
myfelf,  he  would  never  have  boarded  me  in  this  fury. 

M.  Fo.  Boarding,  call  you  it  ?  Til  be  fure  to  keep 
him  above  deck. 

M.  Pa.  So  will  I;  if  he  come  under  my  hatches,  I'll 
never  to  fea  again.  Let's  be  reveng'd  on  him  :  let's  ap- 
point him  a  meeting  ;  give  him  a  (how  of  comfort  in 
his  fuit ;  and  lead  him  on  with  a  fine-baited  delay, 
'till  he  hath  pawn'd  his  horfes  to  mine  holt  of  the 
garter. 

M.  Fo.  Nay,  I  will  confent  to  acl: any  villany  againfl; 
him,  that  may  not  fully  the  charinefs  of  our  honefty. 
O,  that  my  hufband  law  this  letter  !  it  would  give 
eternal  food  to  his  jealoufy. 

M.  Pa.  Why,  look  where  he  comes  ;  and  my  good 
man  too  :  he's  as  far  from  jealoufy,  as  I  am  from  gi- 
ving him  cause  ;  and  that,  I  hope,  is  an  unmeasurable 
diftance. 

M.  Fo.  You  are  the  happier  woman. 

M.  Pa.  Let's  confult  together  againfl:  this  greasy 
knight :  Come  hither.  \they  converfe  apart* 

Enter  Ford,  Pistol,  Page,  WNym, 

Ford.    Well,  I  hope  it  be  not  fo. 

Pisr.     Hope  is  a  curtal  dog  in  fome  affairs : 
Sir  John  affefts  thy  wife. 

Ford.    Why,  fir,  my  wife  is  not  young.  [poor, 

Pisr.     He  wooes  both  high  and  low,  both  rich  and 
Both  young  and  old,  one  with  another,  Ford; 
He  loves  thy  gally-mawfry ;  Fordy  perpend. 

Ford.    Love  my  wife  ? 

Pisr.  With  liver  burning  hot :  Prevent ;  or  go  thoa 
Like  fir  Afiecn,  he,  with  Ring-wood  at  thy  heels  : 

M  4 


25 


The  merry  Wives  of  Windfor. 


O,  odious  is  the  name  ! 

Ford.   What  name,  fir  ? 

Pisr.     The  horn,  I  fay:  Farewel. 
Take  heed ;  have  open  eye ;  for  thieves  do  foot  by  night: 

Take  heed,  ere  fummer  comes,  or  cuckoo  birds  do  fing  

Away,  fir  corporal  Nym — 
Believe  it,  Page  ;  he  fpeaks  fenfe. 

Ford.    "  1  will  be  patient ;  I  will  find  out  this." 

Ntm.  And  this  is  true;  [to  Page.]  I  like  not  the 
humour  of  lying.  He  hath  wronged  me  in  fome  hu- 
mours: I  Ihould  have  born  the  humour'd  letter  to  her; 
but  I  have  a  fword,  and  it  lhall  bite  upon  my  neceflity. 
He  loves  your  wife  ;  there's  the  Ihort  and  the  long.  My 
name  is  corporal  Nym ;  I  fpeak,  and  I  avouch.  'Tis  true: 
my  name  is  Nym,  and  Falftafflovts  your  wife.  Adieu  ! 
I  love  not  the  humour  of  bread  and  cheese  ;  and  there's 
the  humour  of  it.  Adieu.    [Exeunt  Pistol,  ««A'ym. 

Page.  The  humour  of  it,  quoth  'a!  here's  a  fellow 
frights  humour  out  of  his  wits. 

Ford.    "  1  will  feek  out  Falfaf." 

Page.   I  never  heard  fuch  a  drawling,  affecting  rogue. 

Ford.    "  If  I  do  find  it,— Well." 

Page.  I  will  not  believe  fuch  a  Catazan,  though  the 
prieft  o'the  town  commended  him  for  a  true  man. 

Ford.    "'Twas  a  good  fenfible  fellow  : —Well.0 
Page.  How  now,  Meg  ? 

M.  Pa.  Whither  go  you,  George?  Hark  you. 

M.  Fo.  How  now,  fweet  Frank  ?  why  art  thou  me- 
lancholy ? 

Ford.  I  melancholy!  I  am  not  melancholy.  Get  you 
home,  go. 

M.  Fo.  'Faith,  thou  haft  fome  crotchets  in  thy  head — 


The  merry  Wives  cf  Wind  for. 


27 


Now,  will  you  go,  miftrefs  Page? 

M.Pa.  Have  with  you — You'll  come  to  dinner, 
George? — "  Look  who  comes  yonder:  me  mail  be  our" 
"  mefTengerto  this  paltry  knight." 

Enter  Miftrefs  Quickly. 

M.  Fo.  "  Truft  me,'l  thought  on  her  :  (he'll  fit  it.'* 

M  Pa.  You  are  come  to  fee  my  daughter  Anne? 

Quic.  Ay,  forfooth  ;  And,  I  pray,  how  does  good 
miilrefs  Anne? 

M.  Pa.  Go  in  with  us,  and  fee  ;  we  have  an  hour's 
talk  with  you.  \Extunt  Women. 

Page.   How  now,  mafter  Ford? 

Ford.  You  heard  what  this  knave  told  me;  did  you 
not  ? 

Page.   Yes;  And  you  heard  what  the  other  told  me  ? 

Ford.    Do  you  think  there  is  truth  in  them  I 

Page.  Hang  'em,  flaves!  I  do  not  think  the  knight 
would  ofFer  it :  but  these,  that  accuse  him  in  his  intent 
towards  our  wives,  are  a  yoak  of  his  difcarded  men ; 
very  rogues,  now  they  be  out  of  fervice. 

Ford.    Were  they  his  men  i 

Page.   Marry,  were  they. 

Ford.  I  like  it  never  the  better  for  that  —Does  he 
lye  at  the  garter  ? 

Page.  Ay,  marry,  does  he.  If  he  mould  intend  this 
voyage  toward  my  wife,  I  would  turn  her  loofe  to  him; 
and  what  he  gets  more  of  her  than  fharp  words,  let  it 
lye  on  my  head. 

Ford.  I  do  notmifdoubt  my  wife  ;  but  I  would  be 
loth  to  turn  them  together  :  A  man  may  be  too  confix 
dent :  I  would  have  nothing  lye  cn  my  head :  I  cannot 
be  thus  fatiffy'd. 


28 


The  merry  Wives  of  Wind  for. 


Page.  Look  where  my  ranting  hoft  of  the  garter 
comes  :  there  is  either  liquor  in  his  pate,  or  money  in 

his  purfe,  when  he  looks  lb  merrily.  How  now,  mine 

hoft? 

Enter  Hoft,  and  Shallow. 

Ho/?.     How  now,  bully  rook  ?  thou'rt  a  gentleman 
Cavalero  juftice,  I  fay  ! 

Shal.  I  follow,  mine  hoft,  I  follow.  _Good  even, 
and  twenty,  good  mafter  Page!  Matter  Page,  will  you 
go  with  us?  we  have  fport  in  hand. 

Hoft,  Tell  him,  cavalero  juftice ;  tell  him,  bully 
rook. 

Shal.  Sir,  there  is  a  fray  to  be  fought,  between  fir 
Hugh  the  Welch  prieft  and  Cuius  the  French  doftor. 

Ford.  Good  mine  hoft  o' the  garter,  a  word  with 
you.  [drawing  him  ajide. 

Hoft.     What  fay'ft  thou,  my  bully  rook  ? 

Shal.  Will  you  [tePage.]  go  with  us  to  behold  it  ? 
My  merry  hoft  hath  had  the  measuring  of  their  wea- 
pons ;  and,  I  think,  hath  appointed  them  contrary  pla- 
ces :  for,  believe  me,  I  hear  the  parfon  is  no  jefter. 
Hark,  I  will  tell  you  what  our  fport  ft  all  be. 

[they  cowverfe  apart. 

Hoft.  Haft  thou  no  fuit  againft  my  knight,  my 
gueft  cavalier  ? 

Ford.  None,  I  proteft  :  but  I'll  give  you  a  pottle 
of  burnt  fack,  to  give  me  recourfe  to  him,  and  tell  him 
my  name  is  Brook;  only  for  a  jeft. 

Hoft.  My  hand,  bully  ;  thou  ftalt  have  egrefs  and 
regrefs,  (faid  I  well  ?)  and  thy  name  fhall  be  Brook  .* 
It  is  a  merry  knight.— Will  you  go,  mynheers? 

Shal.  Have  with  you,  mine  hoft. 


3*  goe  An-heires  ? 


The  merry  Wives  of  Wind  for. 


29 


Page,  I  have  heard,  the  Frenchman  hath  good  Ikill 
In  his  rapier. 

Shal.  Tut,  fir,  I  could  have  told  you  more:  In 
these  times  you  Hand  on  diftance,  your  paffes,  ftocca* 
does,  and  I  know  not  what ;  'tis  the  heart,  mailer  Pagey 
'tis  ~f~  here,  'tis  here  :  I  have  feen  the  time,  with  my  long 
fword,  I  would  have  made  you  four  tall  fellows  fkip 
like  rats. 

Hoft.     Here,  boys,  here,  here!  mail  we  wag? 

Page.  Have  with  you:  — I  had  rather  hear  them 
fcold,  than  fight.        [Exeunt  Hoft,  Page,  WShal. 

Ford.  Though  Page  be  a  fecure  fool,  and  ftands  fo 
firmly  on  his  wife's  frailty,  yet  I  cannot  put  off  my 
opinion  fo  easily  :  She  was  in  his  company  at  Page's 
houfe  ;  and,  what  they  made  there,  I  know  not.  Well, 
I  will  look  further  into't  ;  and  I  have  a  difguise  to 
found  Faljiaff :  If  I  find  her  honeft,  I  lose  not  my  la- 
bour; if  me  be  otherwise,  'tis  labour  well  bellowed. 

[Exit. 

SCENE  II.  A  Room  in  the  garter  Inn. 
Enter  Fa  l staff,  and  Pistol. 
Fals.  I  will  not  lend  thee  a  penny. 
PisT,  Why,  then  the  world's  mine  oilier,  which  1 

with  fword  will  open. 
Fals.  Not  a  penny.  I  have  been  content,  fir,  you 
mould  lay  my  countenance  to  pawn  :  I  have  grated 
upon  my  good  friends  for  three  reprieves  for  you  and 
your  coach-fellow  Nym  ;  or  elfe  you  had  looked  through 
the  grate,  like  a  geminy  of  baboons.  I  am  damn'd  in 
hell,  for  fwearing  to  gentlemen  my  friends,  you  were 
good  foldiers,  and  tall  fellows  :  and  when  miftrefs 


3o 


The  merry  Wives  of  Windfor. 


Bridget  loft  the  handle  of  her  fan,  I  took*t  upon  mine 
honour,  thou  hadft  it  not. 

Pist.  Didft  not  thou  mare  ?  hadft  thou  not  fifteen 
pence  ? 

Fals.  Reason,  you  rogue,  reason  ;Think'ft  thou  I'll 
endanger  my  foul  gratis  ?  At  a  word,  hang  no  more 
about  me,  I  am  no  gibbet  for  you  :  go,  a  fhort  knife 
and  a  throng;  to  your  manor  of  Pick- hatch,  go.  You'll 
not  bear  a  letter  for  me,  you  rogue  !  you  ftand  upon 
your  honour  !  Why,  thou  unconfinable  bafenefs,  it  is 
as  much  as  I  can  do,  to  keep  the  terms  of  my  honour 
precife  :  I,  I,  I  myfelf  fometimes,  leaving  the  fear  of 
heaven  on  the  left  hand,  and  hiding  mine  honour  in 
my  neceflity,  am  fain  to  muffle,  to  hedge,  and  to  lurch  ; 
and  yet  you,  rogue,  will  enfeonce  your  rags,  your  cat- 
o'-mountain  looks,  your  red-lattice  phrases,  and  your 
bold-beating  oaths,  under  the  Ihelter  of  your  honour  ! 
you  will  not  do  it,  you ! 

Pist .  I  do  relent ;  What  would'Q  thou  more  of  man  ? 
Enter  Robin. 

Rob.   Sir,  here's  a  woman  would  fpeak  with  you. 

Fals.  Let  her  approach. 

Enter  Mifirefs  Quickly. 

£>uic.  Give  your  worfhip  good  morrow. 

Fals.  Good  morrow,  good  wife. 

£>yic.  Not  fo,  an't  please  your  worftiip. 

Fals.  Good  maid,  then. 

£>yic.  I'll  be  fworn  ;  as  my  mother  was,  the  firft 
hour  I  was  born. 

Fals.  I  do  believe  the  fwearer  :  What  with  me  ? 
£>uic.  Shall  I  vouchfafeyour  worfhip  a  word  or  two? 
Fals.  Two  thousand,  fair  woman  ;  and  I'll  vouch- 


The  merry  Wives  of  Windfor.  3 1 

fafe  thee  the  hearing. 

Quic.  There  is  one  miftrefs  Ford,  fir I  pray,  come 
a  little  nearer  this  ways:  — I  myfelf  dwell  with  matter 
doftor  Caius. 

Fals.  Well,  on  :  Miftrefs  Ford,  you  fay  ;  — 

Quic.  Your  worftiip  fays  very  true  :  I  pray  your  wor- 
ship, come  a  little  nearer  this  ways. 

Fals.  I  warrant  thee,  no  body  hears;  mine  own 
people,  mine  own  people. 

£>uic.  Are  they  fo  ?  Heaven  blefs  them,  and  make 
them  his  fervants  ! 

Fals.  Well,  miftrefs  Ford;  What  of  her  ? 

£hric.  Why,  fir,  (he's  a  good  creature ;— 'Lord,  Lord  ! 
your  worfhip's  a  wanton:  —  Well,  heaven  forgive  you, 
and  all  of  us,  I  pray  ! 

Fals.  Miftrefs  Ford;  come,  miftrefs  Ford;-* 

Quic.  Marry,  this  is  the  ihort  and  the  long  of  it; 
you  have  brought  her  into  fuch  a  canaries,  as  'tis  won- 
derful :  the  beft  courtier  of  them  all,  when  the  court 
lay  at  Wind/or,  could  never  have  brought  her  to  fuch 
a  canary  :  Yet  there  has  been  knights,  and  lords,  and 
gentlemen,  with  their  coaches  ;  I  warrant  you,  coach 
after  coach,  letter  after  letter,  gift  after  gift ;  fmelling 
fo  fweetly,  (all  mufk)  and  fo  rufhling,  I  warrant  you, 
in  filk  and  gold;  and  in  fuch  alligant  terms;  and  in 
fuch  wine  and  fugar  of  the  beft  and  the  faireft,  that 
would  have  won  any  woman's  heart ;  and,  I  warrant 
you,  they  could  never  get  an  eye-wink  of  her  it!  had 
myfelf  twenty  angels  given  me  this  morning  :  but  I 
defy  all  angels,  (in  any  fuch  fort,  as  they  fay)  but  in 
the  way  of  honefty  :~ and,  I  warrant  you,  they  could 
never  get  her  fo  much  as  fip  on  a  cup  with  the  proudeft 


32 


The  merry  Wives  of  Windfof  • 


of  them  all  :  and  yet  there  has  been  earls,  nay,  which 
is  more,  penfioners  ;  but,  I  warrant  you,  all  is  one 
with  her. 

Fals.  But  what  fays  fhe  to  me  ?  be  brief,  my  good 
Ihe  Mercury. 

g>uic.  Marry,  fhe  hath  receiv'd  your  letter;  for  the 
which  Ihe  thanks  you  a  thousand  times  :  and  fhe  gives 
you  to  notify,  that  her  hufband  will  be  abfence  from 
his  houfe  between  ten  and  eleven. 

Fjls.  Ten  and  eleven. 

£h7ic.  Ay,  forfooth;  and  then  you  may  come  and 
fee  the  pifture,  fhe  fays,  that  you  wot  of ;  matter  Ford* 
her  husband,  will  be  from  home :  —  Alas,  the  fweet 
woman  leads  an  ill  life  with  him ;  he's  a  very  jealoufy 
man  ;  Ihe  leads  a  very  frampold  life  with  him,  good 
heart. 

Fjls.  Ten  and  eleven:  Woman,  commend  me  to 
her  ;  I  will  not  fail  her. 

£>uic.  Why,  you  fay  well :  But  I  have  another  mef 
fenger  to  your  worfhip :  Miftrefs  Page  hath  her  hearty 
commendations  to  you  too  ;  —  and  let  me  tell  you  in 
your  ear,  fhe's  as  fartuous  a  civil  modeft  wife,  and  one 
([  tell  you)  that  will  not  mifs  you  morning  nor  evening 
prayer,  as  any  is  in  Wind/or^  whoe'er  be  the  other:  — 
and  fhe  bad  me  tell  your  worfhip,  that  her  husband  is 
feldom  from  home ;  but,  fhe  hopes,  there  will  come  a 
time.  I  never  knew  a  woman  fo  doat  upon  a  man ; 
furely,  I  think  you  have  charms,  la ;  yes,  in  truth. 

Fals.  Not  I,  I  affure  thee  ;  fetting  the  attraction  of 
my  good  parts  afide,  1  have  no  other  charms. 

£>uic.  Bleffing  on  your  heart  for't! 

Eals.  But,  1  pray  thee,  tell  me  this  ;  Has  Ford's 


The  merry  Wives  of  Windfor. 


33 


wife,  and  Page's  wife,  acquainted  each  other  how  they 

love  me? 

£>uic.  That  were  a  jeft,  indeed  !  —  they  have  not  fo 
little  grace,  I  hope :  ~  that  were  a  trick,  indeed!  But 
miftrefs  Page  would  desire  you  to  fend  her  your  little 
page,  of  ail  loves  ;  her  husband  has  a  marvelous  in- 
fection to  the  little  page  :  And,  truly,  mafter  Page  is 
an  honeft  man  :  never  a  wife  in  Wind/or  leads  a  better 
life  than  me  does ;  do  what  fhe  will,  fay  what  (he  will, 
take  all,  pay  all,  go  to  bed  when  ihe  lift,  rise  when  (he 
lift,  all  is  as  fhe  will;  and,  truly,  (he  deserves  it;  for  if 
there  be  a  kind  woman  in  Wind/or,  fhe  is  one :  You  mull 
fend  her  your  page;  no  remedy. 

Fals.  Why,  I  will. 

£>uic.  Nay,  but  do  fo  then  :  and,  look  you,  he  may 
come  and  go  between  you  both  ;  and,  in  any  cafe,  have 
a  nay  word,  that  you  may  know  one  another's  mind, 
and  the  boy  never  need  to  underftand  any  thing ;  for 
'tis  not  good  that  children  mould  know  any  wicked- 
nefs :  old  folks,  you  know,  have  difcretion,  as  they  fay, 
and  know  the  world. 

Fals.  Fare  thee  well :  commend  me  to  them  both  : 
there's  my  =)=  purfe ;  I  am  yet  thy  debtor.  — Boy,  go 
along  with  this  woman.  —This  news  diftradls  me. 

[Exeunt  Quickly,  aWRobin. 

Pi  sr.  This  punk  is  one  of  Cupid's  carriers :  — • 
Clap  on  more  fails;  purfue;  up  with  your  fights; 
Give  fire;  (he  is  my  prize,  or  ocean  whelm  them  all ! 

[Exit  Pistol. 

Fals.  Say'ft  thou  fo,  old  Jack?  go  thy  ways;  I'll 
make  more  of  thy  old  body,  than  I  have  done.  Will 
they  yet  look  after  thee  ?  wilt  thou,  after  the  expencc 


v 


34 


The  merry  Wives  of  Windfor. 


of  fo  much  money,  be  now  a  gainer  ?  good  body,  I 
thank  thee  :  Let  them  fay,  'tis  grofly  done ;  fo  it  be 
fairly  done,  no  matter. 

Enter  Bardolph. 

Bard.  Sir  John,  there's  one  mafter  Brook  below 
would  fain  fpeak  with  you,  and  be  acquainted  with 
you  ;  and  hath  fent  your  worfhip  a  morning's  draught 
of  fack. 

Fals.  Brook  is  his  name  ? 

Bard.  Ay,  fir. 

Fals.  Call  him  in;  Bardolph.]  Such  Brooks 

are  welcome  to  me,  that  o'er-flow  fuch  liquor.  Ah,  ha, 
miftrefs  Ford,  and  miftrefs  Page,  have  I  encompafs'd 
you  ?  go  to ;  <via  ! 

Re-enter  Bardolph,  with  Ford  difguis*d. 

Ford.  Blefs  you,  fir. 

Fals.  And  you,  fir  :  Would  you  fpeak  with  me  ? 

Ford.  I  make  bold,  to  prefs  with  fo  little  prepara- 
tion upon  you. 

Fals.  You're  welcome ;  What's  your  will  ?_ Give  us 
leave,  drawer.  [Exit  Bardolph. 

Ford.  Sir,  I  am  a  gentleman  that  have  fpentmuch; 
my  name  is  Brook. 

Fals.  Good  mafter  Brook,  I  desire  more  acquaint- 
ance of  you. 

Ford.  Good  (wjohn,  I  fue  for  yours :  not  to  charge 
you;  for  I  mult  let  you  underftand,  1  think  myfelf  in 
better  plight  for  a  lender  than  you  are :  the  which  hath 
fomething  embolden'd  me  to  thii  unfeason'd  intrusion  ; 
for  they  fay,  if  money  go  before,  all  ways  do  lye  open. 

Fals.  Money  is  a  good  foldier,  fir,  and  will  on. 

Ford.  Troth,  and  1  have  a  bag  of  money  "J"  here 

**  ore  'flowes 


The  merry  wives  of  Windfor. 


3$ 


troubles  me  :  if  you  will  help  to  bear  it,  fir  Johny  take 
all,  or  half,  for  easing  mc  of  the  carnage. 

Fjls.  Sir,  I  know  not  how  I  may  deserve  to  be 
your  porter. 

Ford.  I  will  tell  you,  fir,  if  you  will  give  me  the 
hearing. 

Fals.  Speak,  good  mafter  Brook ;  I  fhall  be  glad  to 
be  your  fervant. 

Ford.  Sir,  I  hear  you  are  fchollar,— r  will  be  brief 
with  you  ;~ and  you  have  been  a  man  long  known  to 
me,  though  I  had  never  lb  good  means,  as  desire,  to 
make  myfelf  acquainted  with  you.  I  mail  difcover  a 
thing  to  you,  wherein  I  mull  very  much  lay  open  mine 
own  imperfection  :  but,  good  fir  John,  as  you  have  one 
eye  upon  my  follies,  as  you  hear  them  unfolded,  turn 
another  into  the  regifter  of  your  own  ;  that  I  may  pais 
with  a  reproof  the  easier,  fith  you  yourfelf  know,  how 
easy  it  is  to  be  fuch  an  offender. 

Funs.  Very  well,  fir;  proceed. 

Ford.  There  is  a  gentlewoman  in  this  town,  her 
husband's  name  is  Ford. 

Fals.  Well,  fir. 

Ford.  1  have  long  Jov'd  her,  and,  I  proteft  to  you, 
bellowed  much  on  her;  follow'd  her  with  a  doating 
observance  ;  engrolTd  opportunities  to  meet  her  ;  fee'd 
every  flight  occasion  that  could  but  niggardly  give  me 
fight  of  her  ;  not  only  bought  many  presents  to  give 
her,  but  have  given  largely  to  many,  to  know  what  ihe 
would  have  given  :  briefly,  I  have  purfu'd  her,  as  love 
hath  purfu'd  me  ;  which  hath  been,  on  the  wing  of  all 
occasions  :  But,  whatfoever  I  have  merited,  either  in 
my  mind,  or  in  my  means,  meed,  T  am  fure,  I  have  re- 


Vol.  I, 


N 


3« 


*the  merry  Wives  of  Windfor. 


ceived  none;  unlefs  experience  be  a  jewel ;  that  I  hare 
purchafed  at  an  infinite  rate ;  and  that  hath  taught  me 
lo  fay  this, 

Love  like  a  Jbadovo  fies,  when  fubftance  love  purfues  % 
Purfuing  that  that  jlies>  and fiying  nvhat  purfues. 

Fals.  Have  you  received  no  promise  of  fatiffadtion 
at  her  hands  ? 

Ford.  Never. 

Fals.  Have  you  importun'd  her  to  fuch  a  purpose  ? 
Ford.  Never. 

Fals.  Of  what  quality  was  your  love  then  ? 

Ford.  Like  a  fair  houfe,  built  on  another  man's 
ground ;  fo  that  I  have  loft  my  edifice,  by  miftaking 
the  place  where  I  ere&ed  it. 

Fals.  To  what  purpose  have  you  unfolded  this  tome? 

Ford.  When  I  have  told  you  that,  I  have  told  you 
all.  Some  fay,  that,  though  fhe  appear  honeft  to  me, 
yet,  in  other  places,  fhe  enlargeth  her  mirth  fo  far,  that 
there  is  fhrewd  conftruftion  made  of  her.  Now,  fir  John, 
here  is  the  heart  of  my  purpose  ;  You  are  a  gentleman 
of  excellent  breeding,  admirable  difcourfe,  of  great  ad- 
mittance, authentic  in  your  place  and  perfon,  generally 
allowed  for  your  many  warlike,  courtlike,  and  learned 
preparations. 

Fals.  O,  fir! 

Ford.  Believe  it,  for  you  know  it  :—  There  =1=  is 
money  ;  fpend  it>  fpend  it  ;  fpend  more ;  fpend  all  I 
have ;  only  give  me  fo  much  of  your  time  in  exchange 
of  it,  as  to  lay  an  amiable  fiege  to  the  honefty  of  this 
Ford's  wife  :  use  your  art  of  wooing,  win  her  to  con- 
fent  to  you ;  if  any  man  may,  you  may  as  foon  as  any. 

Fals.  Would  it  apply  well  to  the  vehemency  of  your 


7ve  merry  Wives  of  Windfof . 


37 


affection,  that  I  fhould  win  what  you  would  enjoy  ? 
methinks,  you  prefcribe  toyourfelf  very  prepofteroufly. 

Ford.  O,  underftand  my  drift!  fhedwellsfo  fecure- 
ly  on  the  excellency  of  her  honour,  that  the  folly  of  my 
foul  dares  not  present  itfelf ;  Ihe  is  too  bright  to  be  look'd 
againft :  Now,  could  I  come  to  her  with  any  deteeliot 
in  my  hand,  my  desires  had  inftance  and  argument  to 
commend  themfelves ;  I  could  drive  her  then  from  the 
ward  of  her  purity,  her  reputation,  her  marriage  vow, 
and  a  thousand  other  her  defences,  which  now  are  too 
too  ftrongly  embattl'd  againft  me  :  What  fay  you  to't, 
fir  John  ? 

Fals.  Mafter  Brook,  I  will  firft  make  bold  with  your 
money  ;  [pocketing  it.]  next,  give  me  your  hand  ;  and 
laft,  as  I  am  a  gentleman,  you  (hall,  if  you  will,  enjoy 
Ford's  wife. 

Ford.  O,  good  fir  ! 

Fals.  I  fay,  you  fhall, 

Ford.  "Want  no  money,  hrjobn,  you  mall  want  none. 

Fals.  Wrant  no  miftrefs  Ford,  mafter  Brook,  you  mall 
want  none  ;  I  mail  be  with  her  (I  may  tell  you)  by  her 
own  appointment ;  even  as  you  came  in  to  me,  her  af- 
fiftant,  or  go-between,  parted  from  me  :  I  fay,  I  mail  be 
with  her  between  ten  and  eleven  ;  for  at  that  time  the 
jealous  rafcally  knave,  her  husband,  will  be  forth:  Come 
you  to  me  at  night ;  you  fhall  know  how  I  fpeed. 

Ford.  I  am  bleft  in  your  acquaintance.  Do  you  know 
Ford,  fir  ? 

Fals.  Hang  him,  poor  cuckoldly  knave !  I  know' 
him  not :  —  yet  I  wrong  him,  to  call  him  poor ;  they 
fay,  the  jealous  wittolly  knave  hath  maffes  of  money  ; 
for  the  which,  his  wife  feems  to  me  well-favour'd  :  I 


5* 


The  merry  PFives  of  Windfor*, 


will  use  her  as  the  key  of  the  cuckoldly  rogue's  coffer? 
and  there's  my  harveft-home. 

Ford.  I  would  you  knew  Ford,  fir;  that  you  might 
avoid  him,  if  you  faw  him. 

Fjls.  Hang  him,  mechanical  falt-butter  rogue!  I 
will  flare  him  out  of  his  wits  ;  I  will  awe  him  with 
my  cudgel  ;  it  fhall  hang  like  a  meteor  o'er  the  cuc- 
kold's horns  :  mafter  Brook,  thou  lhalt  know,  I  will 
predominate  over  the  peasant,  and  thou  fhalt  lye  with 
his  wife.  Come  to  me  foon  at  night :  —Ford's  a  knave, 
and  I  will  aggravate  his  ftile ;  thou,  mafter  Brook,  lhalt 
knew  him  for  knave  and  cuckold  :•— come  to  me  foon 
at  night.  [ Exit. 

Ford.  What  a  damn'd  Epicurean  rafcal  is  this  l-r 
My  heart  is  ready  to  crack  with  impatience.  —  Who 
fays,  this  is  improvident  jealoufy  ?  my  wife  hath  fent 
to  him,  the  hour  is  fix'd,  the  match  is  made  ;  Would 
any  man  have  thought  this  ?  —  See  the  hell  of  having 
a  falfe  woman  !  my  bed  fhall  be  abus'd,  my  coffers  ran- 
fack'd,  my  reputation  gnawn  at  ;  and  I  fhall  not  only 
receive  this  villanous  wrong,  but  ftand  under  the  adop- 
tion of  abominable  terms,  and  by  him  that  does  me 
this  wrong.  Terms  !  names !  —  Amaimon  founds  well ; 
Lucifer,  well ;  Barbafon,  well  ;  yet  they  are  devils'  ad- 
ditions, the  names  of  fiends  :  but,  cuckold  !  wittol  ! 
cuckold !  the  devil  himfelf  hath  not  fuch  a  name.  Page 
is  an  afs,  a  fecure  afs  ;  he  will  truft  his  wife,  he  will 
not  be  jealous :  I  will  rather  truft  a  Fleming  with  my 
butter,  parfon  Hugh  the  Welchman  with  my  cheese,  an 
lrijhman  with  my  aqua-<vita  bottle,  or  a  thief  to  walk 
my  ambling  gelding,  than  my  wife  with  herfelf :  then 
fhe  plots,  then  fhe  ruminates,  then  fhe  devises;  and 


The  merry  Wives  of  Windfor. 


39 


what  they  think  in  their  hearts  they  may  effect,  they 
will  break  their  hearts  but  they  will  effect.  Heaven  be 
prais'd  for  my  jealoufy  !  Eleven  o'clock  the  hour  I 
will  prevent  this,  detect  my  wife,  be  reveng'd  on 
Faljlaff,  and  laugh  at  Page  :  I  will  about  it ;  better  three 
hours  too  foon,  than  a  minute  too  late.  Fie,  fie,  fie  ! 
cuckold  !  cuckold!  cuckold  !  [Exit* 

SCENE  III.  The  Park. 
Enter  Do clar  Caius,  ^Rugsy. 
D.  Cai.  Jack  Rugby- 
Rugb.  Sir. 

D.  Cai.  Vat  is  de  clock,  Jack  P 
Rug b  .    'Tis  paft  the  hour,  fir,  that  fir  Hugh  promis'd 
to  meet. 

Z>.  Cai.  By  gar,  he  has  fave  his  foul,  dat  he  is  no 
come  ;  he  has  pray  his  pible  veil,  dat  he  is  no  come  : 
by  gar,  Jack  Rugby,  he  is  dead  already,  if  he  be  come. 

Rugb  .  He  is  wise,  fir ;  he  knew  your  worfhip  would 
kill  him,  if  he  came. 

D.  Cai.  By  gar,  de  herring  is  no  dead,  fo  as  I  vill 
kill  him:  Take  your  rapier,  Jack;  I  vill  tell  you  how 
1  vill  kill  him. 

Rugb.    Alas,  fir,  I  cannot  fence, 

D.  Cai.  Villany,  take  your  rapier. 

Rugb,    Forbear;  here's  company. 
Enter  Hoft,  Shallow,  Page,  an  J  Slen  d.er. 

Hoft.      Blefs  thee,  bully  doctor. 

Shal.    Save  you,  matter  doctor  Caius. 

Page.   Now,  good  mailer  doctor  ! 

Slen.    Give  you  good-morrow,  fir.  [for  ? 

D.  Cai.  Vat  be  all  you,  one,  two,  tree,  four,  come 


4<> 


The  merry  Wives  of  Windfor. 


Hcjl.  To  fee  thee  fight,  to  fee  thee  foign,  to  fee 
thee  traverfe,  to  fee  here,  to  fee  thee  there  ;  to  fee  thee 
pafs  thy  punfto,  thy  Hock,  thy  reverie,  thy  diftance, 
thy  montant :  Is  he  dead,  my  Ethiopian  ?  is  he  dead, 
my  Fr&ncifco  ?  ha,  bully  r  What  fays  my  Efculapius?  my 
Galen  ?  my  heart  of  elder  i  ha  ?  is  he  dead,  bully  ftale? 
is  he  dead  ? 

D.  Cai.  Ey  gar,  he  is  de  coward  jack  prieft  of  de 
varld ;  he  is  not  mow  his  face. 

Hoft.  Thou  art  a  CajlHUan,  king  urinal ;  He  ft  or  of 
Greece ',  my  boy. 

£>.  C^j.  I  pray  you,  bear  vitnefs  dat  me  have  ftay  fix 
or  feven,  two,  tree  hours  for  him,  and  he  is  no  come. 

Seal.  He  is  the  wiser  man,  mafter  doclor:  he  is  a 
curer  of  fouls,  and  you  a  curer  of  bodies ;  if  you  fihould 
fight,  you  go  againft  the  hair  of  your  profeflions :  —  Is 
it  not  true,  mafter  Page? 

Page.  Mafter  Shallow,  you  have  yourfelf  been  a 
great  fighter,  though  now  a  man  of  peace. 

Siial  .  Body  kins,  mafter  Page,  though  T  now  be  old, 
and  of  the  peace,  if  1  fee  a  fword  out,  my  finger  itches 
to  make  one  :  though  we  are  juftices,  and  doctors, 
and  churchmen,  mafter  Page,  we  have  fome  fait  of  our 
youth  in  us  ;  we  are  the  fons  of  women,  mafter  Page. 

Page.    'Tis  true,  mafter  Shallow. 

Shal.  It  will  be  found  fo,  mafter  Page.  _  Mafter 
doclor  Cains,  I  am  come  to  fetch  you  home  ;  I  am  fworn 
of  the  peace  :  you  have  fhow'd  yourfelf  a  wise  physi- 
cian, and  fir  Hugh  hath  fhown  himfelf  a  wise  and  patient 
churchman:  you  muft  go  with  me,  mafter  doclor. 

Pardon,  gueft  juftice  :  _  A  word,  rnounfieur 
mock-water. 


»°  caftalliaa 


The  merry  Wives  ^Windfor.  4! 

D.  Cai.  Mock-vater!  vat  is  dat? 
Ho/}.      Mock-water,  in  our  EngUJh  tongue,  is  va- 
lour, bully. 

D.  Cai.  By  gar,  den  I  have  as  much  mock-vater  as 
de  EngUJhman  Scurvy,  jack-dog,  prieft  !  by  gar,  me 
vill  cut  his  ears. 

Eoft.      He  will  clapper-claw  thee  tightly,  bully. 

D.  Cai.  Clapper-de-claw  !  vat  is  dat  ? 

Hoft.      That  is,  he  will  make  thee  amends. 

D.  Cat.  By  gar,  me  do  look  he  mail  clapper-de- 
claw  me  ;  for,  by  gar,  me  vill  have  it. 

Hoji.      And  I  will  provoke  him  to't,  or  let  him  wag* 

D.  Cai.  Me  tank  you  for  dat. 

Hoji.  And  moreover,  bully,— "but  firft,  matter" 
"  gueft,  and  matter  Page,  and  eke  cavalero  S/ender,  go" 
M  you  through  the  town  to  Frogmore.  99 

Page.    "  Sir  Hugh  is  there,  is  he? 99 

Hoji.  "  He  is  there  :  fee  what  humour  he  is  in  ; 99 
"  and  I  will  bring  the  doctor  about  by  the  fields : " 
"  Will  it  do  well  f"  [dodor. 

Seal.    "We  will  do  it.  "—Adieu,  good  matter 

Page,  Slen.  Adieu,  good  matter  do&or. 

[Exeunt  Page,  Shallow,  ^/^Slender* 

D.  Cai.  By  gar,  me  vill  kill  de  prieft  ;  for  he  fpeak 
for  a  jackanape  to  Anne  Page. 

Hoji.  Let  him  dye  :  Sheath  thy  impatience ;  throw 
cold  water  on  thy  choler :  go  about  the  fields  with  me 
through  Frogmore,  I  will  bring  thee  where  miftrefs  Ann* 
Page  is,  at  a  farm  houfe  a  feafting ;  and  thou  (halt  woo 
her,  try'd  game,  Said  I  well  ? 

Z>.  Cai.  By  gar,  me  tank  you  for  dat :  by  gar,  I  love 
you ;  and  I  (hall  procure- a  you  de  good  gueft,  de  earK 


3°  weoe  her.  CriJ*-g:?me, 


4^ 


T  *he  merry  Wives  of  Windfor. 


de  knight,  de  lords,  de  gentlemen,  my  patients. 

Hojt.  For  the  which,  I  will  be  thy  adverfary  to- 
ward Anne  Page  ;  Said  I  well  ? 

D.  Cai.  By  gar,  'tis  good ;  veil  faid. 

Hof.      Let  us  wag  then. 

D.  Cai.  Come  at  my  heels,  Jack  Rugby.  [Exeunt. 


ACT  III. 

SCENE  I.  Fields  near  Frogmore. 
Enter  Sir  Hugh  Evans,  and  Simple. 

Sir  H.  I  pray  you  now,  good  mailer  Slender  s  fervlng- 
man,  and  friend  Simple  by  your  name,  which  way  have 
you  looked  for  mailer  Caius,  that  calls  himfelf  do&or 
of  physic  ? 

Simp.  Marry,  fir,  the  city-ward,  the  park- ward,  every 
way ;  old  Windfor  way,  and  every  way  but  the  town  way. 

Sir  H.  I  mod  fehemently  desire  you,  you  will  alio 
look  that  way. 

Simp*  I  will,  fir. 

Sir  H.  Plefs  my  foul !  how  full  of  cholers  I  am,  and 
trempling  of  mind  lr~i  mall  be  glad  if  he  have  deceiv'd 
me  :  —  how  melancholies  I  am  r  —  I  will  knog  his  uri- 
nals about  his  knave's  coftard,  when  I  have  good  opor- 
tunities  for  the  'ork:  — Plefs  my  foul! 

To  Jhallow  rivers,  to  whose  falls  \fi*gi&g+ 
melodious  birds  feng  madrigals  ; 
there  will  we  make  our  beds  of  roses, 
end  a  thousand  fragrant  posies. 
To  jh allow— ~ 
Meicy  on  me!  I  have  a  great  difpositions  to  cry. 


4  7  pittie-ward 


The  merry  Wives  of  Wind  for. 


43 


melodic  us  birds  Jing  madrigals  ;  — 
IV ben  as  I J  at  in  Pabylon,— 
and  a  thousand  vagram  posies. 
To  Jhalhiv — 

Simp.  Yonder  he  is  coming,  this  way,  fir  Hugh. 

Sir  H.  He's  welcome  :  

To  jballonju  rivers,  to  whose  falls'^" 
Heaven  profper  the  right What  weapons  is  he? 

Simp.  No  weapons,  fir:  There  comes  my  mafter, 
mailer  Shallow,  and  another  gentleman,  from  Frogmore, 
over  the  ftile,  this  way. 

Sir  H.  Pray  you,  give  me  my  gown;  or  elfe  keep  it 
in  your  arms. 

Enter  Page,  Shallow,  W  Slender, 

Shal.  How  now,  mafter  parfon !  Good  morrow,  good 
fir  Hugh :  Keep  a  gamefter  from  the  dice,  and  a  good 
ftudent  from  his  book,  and  it  is  wonderful. 

Slen.  Ah,  fweet  Anne  Page! 

Page.  Save  you,  good  fir  Hugh! 

Sir  H.  Plefs  you  from  his  mercy'  fake,  all  of  you! 

Shal.  What,  the  fword  and  the  word !  do  you  ftudy 
them  both,  mafter  parfon  r 

Page.  And  youthful  ftill,  in  your  doublet  and  hose, 
this  raw  rheumatic  day  ! 

Sir  H.  There  is  reasons  and  causes  for  it. 

Page.  We  are  come  to  you,  to  do  a  good  office, 
mafter  parfon. 

Sir  H.  Fery  well ;  What  is  it? 

Page.  Yonder  is  a  moft  reverend  gentleman,  who,  be- 
like,having  received  wrong  by  fomeperfon,is  at  moft  odds 
with  his  own  gravity,  and  patience,  that  ever  you  faw. 

Sual*  I  have  lived  fourfcore  years,  and  upward;  \ 


44 


The  merry  Wi  ves  of  Windfor. 


never  heard  a  man  of  his  place,  gravity,  and  learning, 
fo  wide  of  his  own  refpect. 
Sir  H.  What  is  he? 

Page.  I  think,  you  know  him;  mailer  doflor Caius, 
the  renowned  French  physician. 

Sir  H.  Got's  will,  and  his  paffion  o'my  heart !  I  had 
as  lief  you  would  tell  me  of  a  mefs  of  porridge. 

Page.  Why? 

Sir  H.  He  has  no  more  knowledge  in  Hibocrates, 
and  Galen,— and  he  is  a  knave  befides;  a  cowardly 
knave,  as  you  would  desires  to  be  acquainted  withal. 

Page.  I  warrant  you,  [to  Shal.]  he's  the  man  fhould 
fight  with  him. 

Slen.  O  fweet  Anne  Pave! 

Enter  HoQ.,  Caius,  and  Rugby. 

Shal.  It  appears  fo  by  his  weapons  Keep  them 
afunder;  here  comes  doftor  Caius.  [pon. 

Page.  Nay,  good  matter  parfon,  keep  in  your  wea~ 

Shal.  So  do  you,  good  mafter  doftor. 

Hojl.  Difarm  them,  and  let  them  quefHon;  let 
them  keep  their  limbs  whole,  and  hack  our  Englijb. 

D.  Cai.  I  pray  you,  let-a  me  fpeak  a  vord  vit  your 
ear  ;  Verefore  vill  you  not  meet-a  me? 

Sir  H.    Pray  you,  use  your  patience  in  good  time. 

D.  Cai.  By  gar,  you  are  de  coward,  de  "Jack  dog, 
John  ape. 

Sir  H%  Pray  you,  let  us  not  be  laughing-ftogs  to 
other  men's  humours ;  I  desire  you  in  friendftiip,  and 
I  will  one  way  or  other  make  you  amends  ~I  will 
knog  your  urinals  about  your  knave's  cogs-combs,  for 
miffing  your  meetings  and  appointments. 

£>.  Cai  Diable  !-Jack  Rugby, —mine  holt  dejarteer% 


The  merry  Wives  of  Windfor. 


45 


_ have  I  not  ftay  for  him  to  kill  him,  have  I  not,  at  de 
place  I  did  appoint  ? 

Sir  H.  As  I  am  a  chriftians'  foul  now,  look  you,  this 
is  the  place  appointed  ;  I'll  be  judgment  by  mine  holt 
of  the  garter. 

Hqft.  Peace,  I  fay,  Gallia  and  Gaul,  French  and 
Welch,  foul-curer  and  body-curer. 

Z>.  Cai.  Ay,  dat  is  very  good!  excellent! 

Hojl.  Peace,  I  fay  ;  hear  mine  hofl  of  the  garter. 
Am  I  politic?  am  I  fubtle?  am  I  a  Machiavell  Shall 
I  lose  my  doctor?  no  ;  he  gives  me  the  potions,  and 
the  motions.  Shall  I  lose  my  parfon  ?  my  prieft?  my  fir 
Hugh?  no;  he  gives  me  the  pro-verbs,  and  the  no- 

verbs.  — Give  me  thy  hand,  terrellrial :  fo  :  Give  me 

thy  hand,  celeflial :  fo  :  Boys  of  art,  I  have  deceived 

you  both;  I  have  directed  you  to  wrong  places :  your 
hearts  are  mighty,  your  fkins  are  whole,  and  let  burn'd 
fack  be  the  iffue — Come,  lay  their  fwords  to  pawn  :  — 
Follow  me,  lad  of  peace,  follow,  follow,  follow. 

Shal.  Truft  me,  a  mad  hofl .Follow,  gentlemen, 
follow. 

Slen.    O  fweet  Anne  Page!  [Exeunt  Hoft,  Page,  &T<u 

D.  Cai.  Ha !  do  I  perceive  dat  ?  have  you  make-a  de 
fot  of  us  ?  ha,  ha ! 

Sir  H.  This  is  well ;  he  has  made  us  his  vlouting- 
ftog:_ I  desire  you,  that  we  may  be  friends ;  and  let  us 
knog  our  prains  together,  to  be  revenge  on  this  fame 
fcal\  fcurvy,  cogging  companion,  the  hofl  of  the  garter. 

D.  Cai.  By  gar,  vit  all  my  heart :  he  promise  to 
bring  me  vere  is  Anne  Page  ;  by  gar,  he  deceive  me  too. 

Sir  H.  Well,  I  will  fmite  his  noddles :  Pray  you, 
follow.  \Exeunt. 


46 


The  merry  Wives  of  Wihdfor. 


SCENE  II.    J  Street. 
Enter  Miftrejs  Page,  and  Robin*. 

M.  Pa.  Nay,  keep  your  way,  little  gallant;  you 
were  wont  to  be  a  follower,  but  now  you  are  a  leader : 
Whether  had  you  rather,  lead  mine  eyes,  or  eye  your 
mailer's  heels  ? 

Rob.  I  had  rather,  forfooth,  go  before  you  like 
a  man,  than  follow  him  like  a  dwarf. 

M.  Pa.  O,  you  are  a  flattering  boy ;  now,  I  fee3 
you'll  be  a  courtier. 

Enter  Ford. 

Ford.    Well  met,  miltrefs  Page :  Whither  go  you  ? 

M.  Pa.  Truly,  fir,  to  fee  your  wife;  Is  fhe  at  home? 

Ford.  Ay;  and  as  idle  as  fhe  may  hang  together, 
for  want  of  company:  I  think,  if  your  husbands  weie 
dead,  you  two  would  marry. 

M.  Pa.  Befure  of  that,'— two  other  husbands. 

Ford.   Where  had  you  this  pretty  weather-cock? 

M.  Pa.  I  cannot  tell  what  the  dickens  his  name  is 
my  husband  had  him  of:— .What  do  you  call  your 
knight's  name,  firrah  ? 

Rob.      Sir  John  FalJlaJ. 

Ford.    Sir  John  Faljiaff! 

M.  Pa.  He,  he;  I  can  never  hit  on's  name!  There 
is  fuch  a  league  between  my  good  man  and  he!~h 
your  wife  at  home,  indeed  ? 

Ford.    Indeed,  fhe  is. 

M.  Pa.  By  your  leave,  fir;  I  am  fick  'till  I  fee  her. 

[Exeunt  Mijlrefs  Page,  and  Robin. 
Ford.    Has  Page  any  brains?  hath  he  any  eyes  ? 
hath  he  any  thinking?  fure,  they  fleep;  he  hath  no 


Ibe  merry  Wives  of  Windfor. 


47 


ufe  of  them  :  why,  this  boy  will  carry  a  letter  twenty 
miles,  as  easy  as  a  cannon  will  moot  point-blank 
twelvefcore.  He  pieces  out  his  wife's  inclination  ;  he 
gives  Iter  folly  motion,  and  advantage:  and  now  ihe's 
going  to  my  wife,  and  Faljiaff^s  boy  with  her ; — A 
man  may  hear  this  mower  fing  in  the  wind !— and  Fal- 
Jlaff's  boy  with  her.  Good  plots!  they  are  lay'd ; 
and  our  revolted  wives  fhare  damnation  together. 
Well ;  I  will  take  him,  then  torture  my  wife,  pluck 
the  borrow'd  vail  of  modefty  from  the  fo  feeming  mif- 
trefs  Page,  divulge  Page  himfelf  for  a  fecure  and  wil- 
ful Atleon;  and  to  these  violent  proceedings  all  my 
neighbours  fhall  cry  aim.  [Clock  heard.]  The  clock 
gives  me  my  cue,  and  my  affurance  bids  me  fearch  ; 
there  I  mail  find  Falftajf:  I  lhall  be  rather  prais'd  for 
this,  than  mock'd ;  for  it  is  as  positive  as  the  earth  is 
£rm,  that  Faljlaff  is  there  :  I  will  go. 

Enter  Page,  Shallow,  Slender,  Sir  Hugh, 
Caius,  Hoft,  and  Rugby. 

Seal.  Page,  Sec.  Well  met,  m after  Ford. 

Ford.  Truft  me,  a  good  knot :  I  have  good  cheer 
at  home  ;  and,  I  pray  you  all,  go  with  me. 

Seal.    I  muft  excuse  myfelf,  mafter  Ford. 

Seen.  And  fo  muft  I,  fir;  we  have  appointed  to 
dine  with  miftrefs  Anne,  and  I  would  not  break  with 
her  for  more  money  than  I'll  fpeak  of. 

Seal.  We  have  linger'd  about  a  match  between 
Anne  Page  and  my  cousin  Slender,  and  this  day  we 
mail  hav#  our  anfvver. 

Slen.    I  hope,  I  have  your  good  will,  father  Page? 

Pace.  You  have,  mafter  Slender  ;  I  ftand  wholly  for 
you  :_but  my  wife,  mafter  dc&or,  is  for  you  altogether. 


48 


The  merry  Wives  of  Windfof . 


D.  Cat.  Ay,  by  gar ;  and  de  maid  is  love-a  me  % 
my  nurfh-a,  Quickly,  tell  me  fo  mufh. 

Hojl.  What  fay  you  to  young  mafter  Fenton?  he 
capers,  he  dances,  he  has  eyes  of  youth,  he  writes  verfes, 
he  fpeaks  holiday,  he  fmells  April  and  May :  he  will, 
carry't,  he  will  carry't ;  'tis  in  his  buttons,  he  will  carry't. 

Page.  Not  by  my  confent,  I  promise  you.  The 
gentleman  is  of  no  having:  he  kept  company  with  the 
wild  prince,  and  Points  ;  he  is  of  too  high  a  region,  he 
knows  too  much  :  No,  he  lhall  not  knit  a  knot  in  his 
fortunes  with  the  finger  of  myfubftance  :  if  he  take  her, 
let  him  take  her  fimply ;  the  wealth  1  have  waits  on  my 
confent,  and  my  confent  goes  not  that  way. 

Ford.  I  befeech  you  heartily,  fome  of  you  go 
home  with  me  to  dinner :  befides  your  cheer,  you  fhall 
havefport;  I  will  Ihew  you  a  monfter.  —  Mafter  doftor, 
you  fhall  go;— fo  lhall  you,  mafter  Page;— .and  you,  fir 
Hugh. 

Seal.  Well,  fare  you  well:  — we  fhall  have  the 
freer  wooing  at  mafter  Page's. 

[Exeunt  Shallow,  and  Slender. 
D.  Cai.  Go  home,  John  Rugby ;  I  come  anon. 

[Exit  Rugby. 

Hoft.  Farewel,  my  hearts :  I  will  to  my  honeft 
knight,  Falftaff ;  and  drink  canary  with  him. 

[Exit  Hoft. 

Ford.  n  I  think,  I  lhall  drink  in  pipe  wine  firfl** 
'*  with  him ;  I'll  make  him  dance."  Will  you  go, 
gentles  ? 

all.       Have  with  you,  to  fee  this  monfter.  [Exeunt- 


S  CENE  III.  A  Room  in  Ford's  Hou/i. 


The  merry  Wives  of  Wind  for. 


49 


Enter  Mijlrefs  Ford,  and  Mijlrefs  Page. 

M.  Fo.  What,  John!  what,  Robert  J 

M.  Pa.  Quickly,  quickly;— Is  the  buck-baficet— 

M.  Fo.  I  warrant What,  Robin*  I  fay! 
Enter  Servants,  with  a  Bajket. 

M.  Pa.  Come,  come,  come. 

M.  Fo.  Here,  fet  it  down. 

Pa.  Give  your  men  the  charge ;  we  mud  be  brief. 

M.  Fo.  Marry,  as  I  told  you  before,  John,  and 
Robert,  be  ready  here  hard  by  in  the  brew-houfe;  and, 
when  I  fuddenly  call  you,  come  forth,  and  (without  any 
pause,  or  ftaggering)  take  this  bafket  on  your  moulders : 
that  done,  trudge  with  it  in  all  hafte,  and  carry  it  among 
the  whitfters  in  Datcbet  mead  ;  and  there  empty  it  in 
the  muddy  ditch,  clofe  by  the  Thames'  fide. 

M.  Pa.  You  will  do  it? 

M.  Fo.  I  have  told  them  over  and  over;  they  lack 
no  direction  -.—Begone ;  and  come  when  you  are  call'd. 

M.  Pa.  Here  comes  little  Robin.  [Exeunt  Servants. 
Enter  Robin. 

M.  Fo .  How  now,  my  eyas-mufket  ?  what  news  with 
you  r 

Rob.  My  mafter  fir  John  is  come  in  at  your  back 
door,  miilrefs  Ford;  and  requefts  your  company. 

M.  Pa.  You  little  jack-a-lent,  have  you  been  true 
to  us : 

Rob.  Ay,  I'll  be  fworn  :  My  mafter  knows  not  of 
your  being  here:  and  hath  threaten'd  to  put  me  into 
everlafting  liberty,  if  I  tell  you  of  it;  for,  he  fwears, 
he'll  turn  me  away. 

M.  Pa*  Thou'it  a  good  boy  ;  this  fecrecy  of  thine 
mall  be  a  taylw  to  thee,  and  mall  make  thee  a  new 


The  merry  Wives  of  Windfof. 


doublet  and  hose. —I'll  go  hide  me. 

M.  Fo.  Do  fo:_Go,  tell  thy  mafter,  I  am  alone. 
[Exit  Rob.]  Miftrefs  Page,  remember  you  your  cue. 

M.  Pa.  1  warrant  thee ;  if  I  do  not  a£t  it,  hifs  me. 

[Exit  Mifrefs  Page. 

M.Fe.  Go  too  then;— We'll  use  this  unwhole- 
fbme  humidity,  this  grofs  watry  pumpion ;  we'll  teach 
him  to  know  turtles  from  jays. 

Enter  Fa  I,  staff. 

Fals.  Have  I  caught  thee,  my  heavenly  jewel?  Why, 
now  let  me  dye,  for  I  have  liv'd  long  enough;  this  is 
the  period  of  my  ambition  :  O  this  bleffed  hour! 

M.  Fo.  O  fweet  fir  John! 

Fjls.  Miftrefs  Ford*  I  cannot  cog,  I  cannot  prate, 
miftrefs  Ford.  Now  (hall  J  fin  in  my  wifh  :  I  would,  thy 
husband  were  dead ;  I'll  fpeak  it  before  the  belt  lord,  I 
would  make  thee  my  lady. 

M.  Fo.  I  your  lady,  fir  Jobn\  alas,  I  fhould  be  a 
pitiful  lady. 

Fals.  Let  the  court  of  France  mew  me  fuch  another. 
I  fee  how  thine  eye  would  emulate  the  diamond  :  Thou 
haft  the  right  arched  beauty  of  the  brow  ;  that  becomes 
the  fhip-tire,  the  tire- valiant,  or  any  tire  of  Venetian 
admittance. 

M.  Fo.  A  plain  kerchief,  fir  John:  my  brows  be- 
come nothing  elfe  ;  nor  that  well  neither. 

Fals.  Thou  art  a  traitor  to  fay  fo:  thou  would'fl: 
make  an  abfolute  courtier  ;  and  the  firm  fixture  of  thy 
foot  would  give  an  excellent  motion  to  thy  gait,  in  a 
femi-circl'd  farthingale.  I  fee  what  thou  wert,  if  for- 
tune thy  foe  were  not ;  nature  is  thy  friend :  Come  thou 
canft  not  hide  it. 


The  merry' Wives  tf  Windfor. 


M.  Fo.   Believe  me,  there's  no  fuch  thing  in  me. 

Fals.  What  made  me  love  thee?  let  that  perfuade 
thee,  there's  fomething  extraordinary  in  thee.  Come, 
I  cannot  cog,  and  fay,  thou  art  this  and  that,  like  a 
many  of  these  lifping  hawthorn-buds,  that  come  like 
women  in  men's  apparel,  and  fmell  like  Bucklers- bury 
in  fimple  time ;  I  cannot :  but  I  love  thee ;  none  but  thee ; 
and  thou  deserv'ft  it.  [trefs  rage. 

M.  Fo.  Do  not  betray  me,  fir  ;  I  fear,  you  love  mif- 

Fals.  Thou  might'it  as  well  fay,  I  love  to  walk 
by  the  counter  gate ;  which  is  as  hateful  to  me  as  the 
reek  of  a  lime  kiln. 

M.  Fo.  Well,  heaven  knows  how  I  love  you  ;  and 
you  mail  one  day  find  it. 

Fals.     Keep  in  that  mind;  I'll  deserve  it. 

M.  Fo.  Nay,  I  muft  tell  you,  fo  you  do;  or  elfe  I 
could  not  be  in  that  mind. 

Re-enter  Robin-. 

Rob.  Miftrefs  Ford,  miftrefs  Ford!  here's  miflrefs 
Page  at  the  door,  fweating,  and  blowing,  and  looking 
wildly,  and  would  needs  fpeak  with  you  presently. 

Fals.  She  lhall  not  fee  me ;  I  will  enfeonce  me  be- 
hind the  arras.  [fePPing  behind  it. 

M.  Fo.    Pray  you,  do  fo ;  Ihe's  a  very  tatling  woman.— . 
Enter  Miftrefs  Page. 
What's  the  matter  r  how  now  ? 

M.  Pa.  O  miftrefs  Ford,  what  have  you  done  ?  you're 
iham'd,  you're  overthrown,  you're  undone  for  ever. 

M.  Fo.    What's  the  matter,  good  miftrefs  Page? 

M.  Pa.  O,  wel-a-day,  miftrefs  Ford!  having  an  ho- 
neft  man  to  your  husband,  to  give  him  fuch  cause  of 
fufpicion  ! 


Vol.  r. 


O 


52  The  merry  Wives  of  Win  cf  for. 


M.  Fo.    What  cause  of  fufpicion  ? 

M.  Pa.  What  cause  of  fufpicion?  Out  upon  you*! 
how  am  I  miftook  in  you  ? 

M.  Fo.    Why,  alas,  what's  the  matter? 

M.  Pa.  Your  husband's  coming  hither,  woman,  with 
all  the  officers  in  Wind/or ;  to  fearch  for  a  gentleman, 
that,  he  fays,  is  here  now  in  the  houfe,  by  your  confent, 
to  take  an  ill  advantage  of  his  abfence  :  you  are  undone, 

jlf.  Fo.    'Tis  not  fo,  I  hope. 

M.  Pa.  Pray  heaven  it  be  not  fo,  that  you  have  fuch 
a  man  here  ;  but  'tis  moft  certain,  your  husband's  com- 
ing, with  half  Wind/or  at  his  heels,  to  fearch  for  fuch  a 
one.  I  come  before,  to  tell  you  :  If  you  know  yourfelf 
clear,  why,  I  am  glad  of  it :  but  if  you  have  a  friend 
here,  convey,  convey  him  out.  Be  not  araaz'd ;  call  all 
your  fenfes  to  you;  defend  your  reputation,  or  bid  fare- 
wel  to  your  good  life  for  ever. 

M.  Fo.  What  fhall  I  do  ?  -  There  is  a  gentleman, 
my  dear  friend ;  and  I  fear  not  mine  own  fhame,  fo  much 
as  his  peril :  I  had  rather  than  a  thousand  pound,  he 
were  out  of  the  houfe. 

M.  Pa.  For  fhame!  never  ftand you  had  rather,  and 
you  had  rather;  your  husband's  here  at  hand,  bethink 
you  of  fome  conveyance :  in  the  houfe  you  cannot  hide 
him  :—0,  how  have  you  deceiv'd  me!  —  Look,  here  is 
a  bafket ;  if  he  be  of  any  reasonable  flature,  he  may 
creep  in  here ;  and  throw  foul  linnen  upon  him,  as  if 
it  were  going  to  bucking:  Or,  it  is  whiting  time,  fend 
him  by  your  two  men  to  Datchet  mead. 

M.  Fo.   He's  too  big  to  go  in  there:  What  fhall  I  do  ? 

Fals.  [ftartingfrcm  his  Concealment.']  Let  me  fee't, 
let  me  fee't,  o,  let  me  fee't !  I'll  in,  I'll  in ;  follow  your 


The  merry  Wives  of  Windfor. 


53 


friend's  counfel ;  I'll  in. 

M.  Pa.  What;  fir  John  Fa/J?aff— Are  these  your 
letters,  knight  ? 

Fal  s  .  I  love  thee ;  help  me  away  :  Let  me  creep  in 
here :  I'  11  never  —  [goes  into  the  Bajket,  W omen  cover  him. 

M.  Pa.  Help  to  cover  your  matter,  boy  :_ Call  your 
men,  miftrefs  Ford:  —  You  diiTembling  knight! 

M.  Fo.  What,  John,  Robert,  John!—  [Re-enter  Ser- 
vants.]Go,  take  up  these cloaths  here,  quickly;  Where's 
the  cowl-ftaff?  look,  how  you  drumble:  carry  them  to 
the  landrefs  in  Datchet  mead  ;  quickly,  come. 

Enter  Ford,  Page,  Caius,  and 
Sir  Hugh  Evans. 

Ford.  Pray  you,  come  near:  if  I  fufpecl:  without 
cause,  why  then  make  fport  at  me,  then  let  me  be  your 
jeft,  I  deserve  it. -How  now?  whither  bear  you  this? 

Serv.     To  the  landrefs,  forfooth. 

M.  Fo.  Why,  what  have  you  to  do  whither  they 
bear  it?  you  were  bed  meddle  with  buck- warning. 

Ford.  Buck?  I  would,  I  could  warn  myfelf  of  the 
buck!  Buck,  buck,  buck?  Ay,  buck;  I  warrant  you. 
buck  :  and  of" the  feason  too;  it  fhall  appear  Gen- 
tlemen, [Exeunt  Servants,  voitb  the  Bajket.]  I  have 
dream'd  to-night:  Til  tell  you  my  dream:— Here, 
here,  =f=  here  be  my  keys :  afcend  my  chambers,  fearch, 
feek,  find  out ;  I'll  warrant,  we'll  unkennel  the  fox :  — 
Let  me  flop  this  way  fir  ft :  _  [locking  the  Door]  So,  now 
uncape. 

Page.  Good  mafter  Ford,  be  contented :  you  wrong 
yourfelf  too  much. 

Ford.  True,  mafterP^-— .Up,  gentlemen;  you  fhall 
fee  fport  anon:  follow  me,  gentlemen.        [Exit  Ford. 

O  2 


The  merry  Wives  of  Windfof. 


Sir  H.  This  is  fery  fantaftical  humours,  and  }ez- 
loufies. 

D.  Cai.  By  gar,  'tis  no  de  fafhion  of  France :  it  is  not 
jealous  in  France. 

Page.  Nay,  follow  him,  gentlemen;  fee  the  iffue 
of  his  fearch.      [Exeunt  Sir  Hugh,  Page  WCaius. 

M.  Pa.  Is  there  not  a  double  excellency  in  this  ? 

M.  Fo.  I  know  not  which  pleases  me  better,  that 
my  husband  is  deceived,  or  fir  John. 

M.  Pa.  What  a  taking  was  he  in,  when  your  husband 
afk'd  who  was  in  the  bafeet? 

M.  Fo.  I  am  half  afraid,  he  will  have  need  of  walh- 
ing;  fo  throwing  him  into  the  water  will  do  him  a  be- 
nefit. 

M.  Pa.  Hang  him,  diftioneft  rafcal !  I  would,  all  of 
the  fame  ftrain  were  in  the  fame  diftrefs. 

M.  Fo.  I  think,  my  husband  hath  fome  fpecial  fuf- 
picion  of  Faljiaff's  being  here ;  for  I  never  faw  him  fo 
grofs  in  his  jealoufy  'till  now* 

M.  Pa.  I  will  lay  a  plot  to  try  that :  And  we  will 
yet  have  more  tricks  with  Falftajf\  his  difTolute  disease 
will  fcarce  obey  this  medicine. 

M.  Fo.  Shall  we  fend  that  foolifli  carrion,  miftrefs 
Quickly,  to  him,  and  excuse  his  throwing  into  the  wa- 
ter ;  and  give  him  another  hope,  to  betray  him  to  a- 
nother  punifhment  ? 

M.  Pa.  We  will  do  it ;  let  him  be  fent  for  to-morrow 
eight  o'clock,  to  have  amends. 

Re-enter  Ford,  Page,  Caius,  ana1  Sir  Hugh. 

Ford.  I  cannot  find  him  :  may  be,  the  knave  brag'd 
of  that  he  could  not  compafs. 

M.Pa.  «  Heard  you  that?"  [to  M,  Ford. 


The  merry  Wi  ves  of  Wind  for. 


55 


M.  Fo.  You  use  me  well,  matter  Ford}  do  you? 
Ford.    Ay,  I  do  fo. 

M.  Fo .  Heaven  make  you  better  than  your  thoughts ! 
Ford.  Amen. 

M  Pa.  You  do  yourfelf  mighty  wrong,  mafter  Ford. 

Ford.     Ay,  ay;  I  mult  bear  it. 

Sir  H.  If  there  be  any  pody  in  the  houfe,  and  in 
the  chambers,  and  in  the  coffers,  and  in  the  preffes, 
heaven  forgive  my  fins  at  the  day  of  judgment ! 

D.  Cai  By  gar,  nor  I  too  ;  dere  is  no  bodies. 

Page.  Fie,  fie,  mafter  Ford!  are  you  not  afham'd  ? 
what  fpirit,  what  devil,  fuggefts  this  imagination  ?  I 
would  not  have  your  diftemper  in  this  kind,  for  the 
wealth  of  Wind/or  caftle. 

Ford.    'Tis  my  fault,  mafter  Page  ;  I  fuffer  for  it. 

Sir  H.  You  fuffer  for  a  pad  conscience :  your  wife  is 
as  honeft  a'omans  as  I  will  desires  among  five  thousand, 
and  five  hundred  too. 

Z>.  Cai.  By  gar,  I  fee  'tis  an  honeft  'oman. 

Ford.  Well;  T  promis'd  you  a  dinner —Come, 
come,  walk  in  the  park  :  1  pray  you,  pardon  me  ;  I 
will  hereafter  make  known  to  you  why  I  have  done 

this  Come,  wife     come,  miftrefs  Page\—\  pray  you, 

pardon  me  ;  pray  heartily,  pardon  me. 

Page.  Let's  go  in,  gentlemen;  but,  truft  me,  we'll 
mock  him.  I  do  invite  you  to-morrow  morning  to  my 
houfe  to  breakfaft ;  after,  we'll  a  birding  together ;  I  have 
^  fine  hawk  for  the  bum  :  Shall  it  be  fo  f 

Ford.    Any  thing.  [ny. 

Sir  H.    If  there  is  one,  I  fhall  make  two  in  the  compa- 

D.  Cai.  If  dere  be  one  or  two,  I  fhall  make  a  de  turd. 

Ford.    Pray  yoq,  go,  mafter  Page. 


56 


ST he  merry  Wives  of  Windfor, 


Sir  II.  I  pray  you  now,  remembrance  to-morrow 
on  the  lousy  knave  mine  hoft. 

D.  Cai.  Dat  is  good ;  by  gar,  vit  all  my  heart. 

Sir  II.  A  lousy  knave  ;  to  have  his  gibes,  and  his 
mockeries :  [Exeunt. 


SCENE  IV.  A  Room  in  Page's  Houfe. 
£«^/*Fenton,  and  Miftrefs  Anne  Page. 

FenT.  I  fee,  I  cannot  get  thy  father's  love  ; 
Therefore  no  more  turn  me  to  him,  fweet  Nan. 

Anne.    Alas,  how  then  ? 

FenT.    Why,  thou  muft  be  thyfelf. 
He  doth  objedl,  I  am  too  great  of  birth  ; 
And  that,  my  'ftate  being  galPd  with  my  expence, 
I  feek  to  heal  it  only  by  his  wealth : 
Befides  these,  other  bars  he  lays  before  me,"" 
My  riots  paft,  my  wild  focieties  ; 
And  tells  me,  'tis  a  thing  impoflible 
I  Ihould  love  thee,  but  as  a  property. 

Jnne.    May  be,  he  tells  you  true. 

FenT.    No,  Heaven  fo  fpeed  me  in  the  time  to  comet 
Albeit,  I  will  confefs,  thy  father's  wealth 
Was  the  firft  motive  that  I  woo'd  thee,  Anne : 
Yet,  wooing  thee,  I  found  thee  of  more  value 
Than  ftamps  in  gold,  or  fums  in  fealed  bags ; 
And  'tis  the  very  riches  of  thyfelf 
That  now  I  aim  at. 

Jnne.    Gentle  mafter  Fenton, 
Yet  feek  my  father's  love  ;  ftill  feek  it,  fir : 
If  opportunity,  and  humbleft  fuit, 
Cannot  attain  it,  why  then,— Hark  you  hither. 

[they  conuerfe  apart. 


The  merry  Wives  of  Windfor. 


57 


Enter  Shallow,  Slender,  and 
Mijirefs  Qu ickly. 
Shal.     Break  their  talk,  miilrefs^/Vi/y;  my  kins- 
man fhall  fpeak  for  himfelf.  [venturing. 
Slen.     I'll  make  a  (haft  or  a  bolt  on't :  Vlid,  'tis  but 
Shal.    Be  not  difmay'd. 

Slen.  No,  fhe  fhall  not  difmay  me:  I  care  not  for 
that,  *—  but  that  I  am  afeard. 

£>uic.  Kark  ye ;  mailer  Slender  would  fpeak  a  word 
with  you.  [choice 

Anne.    I  come  to  him.— "  This  is  my  father's 
"  O,  what  a  world  of  vile  ill-favour'd  faults" 
"  Look  handfome  in  three  hundred  pounds  a  year  !" 

Qjic.  And  how  does  good  mailer  Fenton?  Pray 
you,  a  word  with  you.  [drawing  him  ajide. 

Shal.  She's  coming;  to  her,  coz.  O  boy,  thou 
hadll  a  father ! 

Slen,    I  had  a  father,  miflrefs  Anne;  —  my  uncle 

can  tell  you  good  jefls  of  him:  Pray  you,  uncle,  tell 

miflrefs  Anne  the  jeft,  how  my  father  Hole  two  geefe 
out  of  a  pen,  good  uncle. 

Shal.    Miilrefs  Anne,  my  cousin  loves  you. 

Slen.  Ay,  that  I  do;  as  well  as  I  love  any  woman 
in  Glocejlerjhire. 

Shal.    He  will  maintain  you  like  a  gentlewoman. 

Slen.  Ay,  that  I  will,  come  cut  and  long  tail,  un- 
der the  degree  of  a  'fquire. 

Shal  .  He  will  make  you  a  hundred  and  fifty  pounds 
jointure.  [felf. 

Anne.    Good  mafler  Shallow,  let  him  woo  for  him- 

Shal.  Marry,  I  thank  you  for  it;  I  thank  you  for 
that  good  comfort.— She  calls  you,  coz  :  I'll  leave  you. 

•1  Lookcs 

04 


The  merry  Wi<ves  of  Wind  for. 


Anne.    Now,  matter  Slender. 
Slen.     Now,  good  miftrefs  Anne. 
Anne.    What  is  your  will  ? 

Slen.  My  will?  'od's  heartlings, 'that's  a  pretty 
jeft,  indeed  !  I  ne'er  made  my  will  yet,  I  thank  heaven  ; 
I  am  not  fuch  a  fickly  creature,  I  give  heaven  praise. 

Anne.  I  mean,  mailer  Slender,  what  would  you 
with  me  ? 

Slen.     Truly,  for  mine  own  part,  I  would  little  or 
nothing  with  you  :  Your. father,  and  my  uncle,  hath 
made  motions  :  if  it  be  my  luck,  fo  ;  if  not,  happy  man 
be  his  dole :  They  can  tell  you  how  things  go,  better 
than  1  can :  You  may  afk  your  father ;  here  he  comes. 
Enter  Page,  and  Miflrefs  Page. 
Page.    Now,  mailer  Slender  ;_Love  him,  daughter 
Anne : — 

Why,  how  now  !  what  does  matter  Fenion  here  ? 
You  wrong  me,  fir,  thus  ftill  to  haunt  my  houfe  : 
I  told  you,  fir,  my  daughter  is  difpos'd  of. 

Pent.    Nay,  matter  Page,  be  not  impatient. 

M.  Pa.  Good  matter  Fenton,  come  not  to  my  child. 

Page.    She  is  ho  match  for  you. 

Pent.    Sir,  will  you  hear  me? 

Page.     No,  good  matter  Fenton.  ~ 
Come,  matter  Shallow  ;  _  come,  fon  Slender  ;__in  :  — 
Knowing  my  mind,  you  wrong  me,  matter  Fenton. 

[Exeunt  Page,  Shallow,  and  Slender* 

Quic  .     Speak  to  miftrefs  Page. 

Zent.     Good  miftrefs  Page,  for  that  I  love  your 
daughter 
In  fuch  a  righteous  fafhion  as  I  do, 
Perforce,  againft  all  checks,  rebukes,  and  manners, 


The  merry  Wives  of  Windfor. 


59 


I  muft  advance  the  colours  of  my  love, 
And  not  retire  :  Let  me  have  your  good  will. 

Jxne.    Good  mother,  do  not  marry  me  to  yon'  fool. 

M.  Pa.  I  mean  it  not;  I  feek  you  a  better  husband. 

S^uic.     That's  my  matter,  mailer  do£lor. 

Anne.  Alas,  I  had  rather  be  fet  quick  i'the  earth, 
And  bowl'd  to  death  with  turnips. 

M.  Pa.  Come,  trouble  not  yourfelf:__Good  matter 
Fenton, 

I  will  not  be  your  friend,  nor  enemy: 

My  daughter  will  I  queftion  how  fhe  loves  you, 

And  as  I  find  her,  fo  am  I  affe&ed ; 

9  rill  then,  farewel,  fir  :  She  muft  needs  go  in  ; 

Her  father  will  be  angry. 

Fent.    Farewel,  mg  gentle  miftrefs ;  farewel,  Nan. 

[Exeunt  Miftrefs  Pace,  and  Anne. 

£>uic.  This  is  my  doing  now;— Nay,  faid  I,  will 
you  caft  away  your  child  on  a  fool,  and  a  physician  ? 
look  on  matter  Fenton:— this  is  my  doing. 

FenT.  I  thank  thee ;  and,  I  pray  thee,  once  to-night 
Give  my  fweet  Nan  this  =j=  ring :  There's  =j=  for  thy  pains. 

[Exit  Fenton. 

Quic.  Now  heaven  fend  thee  good  fortune!— A  kind 
heart  he  hath:  a  woman  would  run  through  fire  and 
water  for  fuch  a  kind  heart.  But  yet,  I  would  my  matter 
had  miftrefs  Anne;  or  I  would  matter  Slender  had  her; 
or,  in  footh,  I  would  matter  Fenton  had  her:  I  will  do 
what  I  can  for  them  all  three  ;  for  fo  I  have  promised, 
and  I'll  be  as  good  as  my  word ;  but  'fpecioufly  for  matter 
Fenton.  Well,  I  muft  of  another  errand  to  fir  John  Fal- 
flaff  from  my  two  miftreffes  -7  What  a  beaft  am  I  to  flack 
it?  [Exit. 


6c 


The  merry  Wives  of  Windfor. 


S  C  £  A  E  V .    A  Room  in  the  garter  Inn. 
Enter  Falstaff  ^Bardolph. 
Fals.    Bardolph,  I  fay,— 
Bard.   Here,  fir. 

Fals.  Go,  fetch  me  a  quart  of  fack  ;  put  a  toad  in't. 
[Exit  Bard.]  Have  I  liv'd  to  be  carry'd  in  a  bafket,  like 
a  barrow  of  butcher's  offal ;  and  to  be  thrown  in  the 
Thames}  Well;  if  I  be  ferv'd  fuch  another  trick,  I'll 
have  my  brains  ta'en  out,  and  butter'd,  and  give  them 
to  a  dog  for  a  new-year's  gift.  The  rogues  flighted  me 
into  the  river  with  as  little  remorfe  as  they  would  have 
drown'd  a  bitch's  blind  puppies,  fifteen  i'the  litter:  and 
you  may  know,  by  my  fize,  that  I  have  a  kind  of  alacrity 
in  finking;  if  the  bottom  were  as  deep  as  hell,  I  Ihould 
down.  I  had  been  drown'd,  but  that  the  fhore  was  ftielvy 
and  ihallow;  a  death  that  I  abhor;  for  the  water  fwells 
a  man;  And  what  a  thing  fliould  I  have  been,  when  I 
had  been  fwell'd !  I  ihould  have  been  a  mountain  of 
mummy. 

Re-enter  Bardolph,  with  the  W ine. 

Bard.   Here's  miftrefs^/Vi/^,  fir,  to  fpeak  with  you. 

Fals.  Come,  let  me  pour  in  fome  lack  to  the 
Thames*  water;  for  my  belly's  as  cold,  as  if  J  had  fwal- 
low'd  fnow-balls  for  pills  to  cool  the  reins — Call  her  in. 

Bard.   Come  in,  woman. 

Enter  Miftrefs  Quickly. 

£>uic.  By  your  leave ;__  I  cry  you  mercy:  — Give 
your  worfhip  good  morrow. 

Fals.  Take  away  these  challices:  Go,  brew  me  a 
pottle  of  fack  finely. 

Bard.   With  eggs,  fir? 


*3  blinde  bitches 


The  ?nerry  Wives  vf  Wind  for. 


Fals.  Simple  of  itfelf;  I'll  no  pullet-fperm  in  my 
brewage — [Exit  Bard.]  How  now? 

£>uic.  Marry,  fir,  I  come  to  your  wormip  from 
miftrefs  Ford. 

Fals.  Miftrefs  Far*// 1  have  had  ford  enough:  I  was 
thrown  into  the  ford;  I  have  my  belly  full  of  ford. 

Quic.  Alas  the  day!  good  heart,  that  was  not  her 
fault :  lhe  does  fo  take  on  with  her  men  ;  they  miftook 
their  erection. 

Fals.  So  did  I  mine,  to  build  upon  a  foolifli  wo- 
man's promise. 

Quic.  Well,  (he  laments,  fir,  for  it,  that  it  would 
yearn  your  heart  to  fee  it.  Her  husband  goes  this  morn- 
ing a  birding ;  lhe  desires  you  once  more  to  come  to  her, 
between  eight  and  nine :  1  mud  carry  her  word  quickly : 
fhe'll  make  you  amends,  I  warrant  you. 

Fals.  Well,  I  will  visit  her:  Tell  her  fo;  and  bid 
her  think  what  a  man  is :  let  her  confider  his  frailty,  and 
then  judge  of  my  merit. 

£)uic.    I  will  tell  her. 

Fals.    Do  fo.  Between  nine  and  ten,  fay'ft  thou? 

£hric.    Eight  and  nine,  fir. 

Fals.    Well,  be  gone:  I  will  not  mifs  her, 

£>uic.     Peace  be  with  you,  fir!  [Exit. 

Fals.  I  marvel,  I  hear  not  of  mafter  Brook ;  he  fent 
me  word,  to  ftay  within  :  Hike  his  money  well.  O,  here 
he  comes. 

Enter  Ford. 
Ford.    Blefs  you,  fir! 

Fals.  Now,  mafter  Brook  P  you  come  to  know  what 
hath  paft  between  me  and  Ford's  wife  ? 

Ford.    That,  indeed,  fir  John,  is  my  businefs* 


6z 


The  merry  Wives  of  Windfar. 


Fals.  Mafler  Brcok,  I  will  not  lye  to  you ;  I  was  at 
her  houfe  the  hour  fhe  appointed  me. 

Ford.    And  fped  you,  fir? 

Fals.    Very  ill-favour'dly,  mailer  Brook. 

Ford.  How  fo,  fir?  Did  fne  change  her  determina- 
tion ? 

Fals.  No,  mafter  Brook :  but  the  peaking  cornuto 
her  husband,  matter  Brock,  dwelling  in  a  continual  'larum 
ofjealoufy,  comes  me  in  the  inftantof  our  encounter, 
after  we  had  embrac'd,  kifPd,  protefted,  and  (as  it  were) 
fpoke  the  prologue  of  our  comedy;  and  at  his  heeh  a 
rabble  of  his  companions,  thither  provoked  and  infti- 
gated  by  his  diftemper,  and  (forfooth)  to  fearch  his  houfe 
for  his  wife's  love. 

Ford.    What,  while  you  were  there? 

Fals,     While  I  was  there. 

Ford.  And  did  he  fearch  for  you,  and  could  not 
find  you  ? 

Fals.  You  (hall  hear.  As  good  luck  would  have 
it,  comes  in  one  miftrefs  Page;  gives  intelligence  of 
Ford's  approach  ;  and,  in  her  invention,  and  Ford's 
wife's  diftra&ion,  they  convey'd  me  into  a  buck-bafket. 

Ford.    A  buck-bafket! 

Fals.  Yes,  a  buck-bafket :  ram'd  me  in  with  foul 
ihirts  and  fmocks,  focks,  foul  ftockings,  greasy  napkins ; 
that,  mafter  Brook,  there  was  the  rankeft  compound  of 
villanous  fmell,  that  ever  offended  noftril. 

Ford.    And  how  long  lay  you  there  ? 

Fals.  Nay,  you  mail  hear  mafter  Brook,  what  I 
have  fuffer'd  to  bring  this  woman  to  evil  for  your  good. 
Being  thus  cram'd  in  the  bafket,  a  couple  of  Ford's 
knaves,  his  hinds,  were  call'd  forth  by  their  miftrefs, 


The  merry  Wives  of  Windfor. 


to  carry  me  in  the  name  of  foul  cloaths  to  Datchit  lane: 
they  took  me  on  their  fhoulders ;  met  the  jealous  knave 
their  matter  in  the  door;  who  afked  them  once  or  twice, 
what  they  had  in  their  bafket :  I  quak'd  for  fear  left 
the  lunatic  knave  would  have  fearch'd  it ;  but  fate,  or- 
daining he  mould  be  a  cuckold,  held  his  hand.  Well ; 
on  went  he  for  a  fearch,  and  away  went  I  for  foul 
cloaths.  But  mark  the  fequel,  matter  Brook:  I  fuffer'd 
the  pangs  of  three  feveral  deaths:  firtt,  an  intolerable 
fright,  to  be  detected  by  a  jealous  rotten  bell-weather: 
next,  to  be  compafTd,  like  a  good  bilbo,  in  the  cir- 
cumference of  a  peck,  hilt  to  point,  heel  to  head:  and 
then,  to  be  ftop'd  in,  like  a  ftrong  dittillation,  with 
ttinking  cloaths  that  fretted  in  their  own  greafe  ;  think 
of  that, —  a  man  of  my  kidney  — think  of  that  ;  that 
am  as  fubjedl  to  heat,  as  butter;  a  man  of  continual 
diffolution  and  thaw;  it  was  a  miracle,  to  'fcape  fuifo- 
cation.  And  in  the  height  of  this  bath,  when  I  was 
more  than  half  ttew'd  in  greafe,  like  a  Dutch  dim,  to  be 
thrown  into  the  Thames,  and  cool'd,  glowing  hot,  in 
that  furge,  like  a  horfe-fhoe ;  think  of  that,  —  hitting 
hot— think  of  that,  matter  Brook. 

Ford.  In  good  fadnefs,  fir,  I  am  forry  that  for  my 
fake  you  have  fufFer'd  all  this.  My  fuit  then  is  defpe- 
rate  ;  you'll  undertake  her  no  more  ? 

Fals.  Matter  Brock,  I  will  be  thrown  into  Etna,  as 
I  have  been  into  Thames,  ere  I  will  leave  her  thus.  Her 
husband  is  this  morning  gone  a  birding:  I  have  received 
from  her  another  embalTy  of  meeting;  'twixt  eight  and 
nine  is  the  hour,  matter  Brock. 

Ford.    'Tis  patt  eight  already,  fir. 

Fals.    Is  it  ?  I  will  then  addrefs  me  to  my  appoint- 


10  with  > 


6+ 


The  merry  Wives  of  Windfor. 


merit.  Come  to  me  at  your  convenient  leisure,  and  you 
fhall  know  how  I  fpeed ;  and  the  conclusion  fhall  be 
crowned  with  your  enjoying  her:  Adieu.  You  fhall 
have  her,  mailer  Brook,  mafter  Brook,  you  fhall  cuckold 
Ford.  [Exit  Falstaff. 

Ford.  Hum!  ha!  is  this  a  vision?  is  this  a  dream? 
do  I  ileep  ?  mafter  Ford,  awake;  awake,  mafter  Ford; 
there's  a  hole  made  in  your  beft  coat,  mafter  Ford.  This 
'tis  to  be  marry'd !  this  'tis  to  have  linnen,  and  buck- 
bafkets!  Well,  I  will  proclaim  myfelf  what  I  am:  I 
will  now  take  the  letcher ;  he  is  at  my  houfe :  he  can- 
not 'fcape  me,  'tis  impoflible  he  fhould  ;  he  cannot  creep 
into  a  half-penny  purfe,  nor  into  a  pepper-box  :  but,  left 
the  devil  that  guides  him  fhould  aid  him,  I  will  fearch 
impoflible  places :  Though  what  I  am  1  cannot  avoid, 
yet  to  be  what  I  would  not  fhall  not  make  me  tame :  if 
I  have  horns  to  make  one  mad,  let  the  proverb  go  with 
me,  I'll  be  horn-mad.  [Exit. 


jcr  iv. 

SCENE  I.  J  Street. 
Enter  Miftrefs  Page,  Miftrefs  Quickly,  and 
William. 

M.  Pa.  Is  he  at  miftrefs  FWs  already,  thin  k'ft  thou? 

£>uic.  Sure,  he  is  by  this ;  or  will  be  presently :  but, 
truly,  he  is  very  courageous  mad,  about  his  throwing 
into  the  water.  Miftrefs  Ford  desires  you  to  come  fud- 
denly. 

M.  Pa.  I'll  be  with  her  by  and  by  ;  I'll  but  bring 
my  young  man  here  to  fchool :  Look,  where  his  mafter 


The  merry  Wives  of  Windfor. 


6S 


comes ;  'tis  a  playing-day,  I  fee :  — . 

Enter  Sir  Hugh  Evans. 
How  now,  fir  Hugh?  no  fchool  to-day? 

Sir  H.  No  ;  matter  Slender  is  let  the  boys  leave  to 
play. 

Quic.     Blefling  of  his  heart ! 

M.  Pa.  Sir  Hugh,  my  husband  fays,  my  fon  profits 
nothing  in  the  world  at  his  book;  I  pray  you,  afe  him 
fome  queftions  in  his  accidence. 

Sir  H.  Come  hither,  William ;  hold  up  your  head  ; 
come. 

M.  Pa.  Come  on,  firrah ;  hold  up  your  head ;  anfwer 
your  matter,  be  not  afraid. 

Sir  H.     William,  how  many  numbers  is  in  nouns  ? 
Will.  Two. 

£>uic.  Truly,  I  thought  there  had  been  one  num- 
ber more;  because  they  fay,  od's-nouns. 

Sir  H.  Peace  your  tattlings.  —What  is,  fair,  Wil- 
liam ? 

Will.  Pulcber. 

$>uic.  Poulcats !  there  are  fairer  things  than  poul- 
cats,  fure. 

Sir  H.    You  are  a  very  fimplicity  'oman ;  I  pray 
you,  peace — What  is,  lapis*  William? 
Will.    A  ttone. 

Sir  H.     And  what  is  a  ttone,  William? 
Will.    A  pebble, 

Sir  H.  No,  it  is  lapis ;  I  pray  you,  remember  in 
your  prain. 

Will.  Lapis. 

Sir  H  That  is  a  good  William:  What  is  he,  Wih 
/iam,  that  does  lend  articles  ? 


66 


The  merry  Wives  of  Windfor. 


Will,  Articles  are  borrowed  of  the  pronoun  ;  and 
be  thus  declined,  Singulariter  nominativo,  hie,  htec,  hoc. 

Sir  H.  Nominativo,  big,  hag.  hog ; — Pray  you,  mark : 
genitivo,  hujus:  Well,  what  is  your  accusative  cafe? 

Will,     Accusative t  bine. 

Sir  H.     I  pray  you,  have  your  remembrance,  child ; 
Accusative,  hing,  bang,  hog. 
£>uic.     Hang- bog  is  Latin  for  bacon,  I  warrant  you. 
Sir  H.     Leave  your  prabbles,  'oman.-^What  is  the 

focative  cafe,  William? 
Will.    Q— vocative,  o. 

Sir  H.     Remember,  William  :  focative  is,  caret. 
£)uic.     And  that's  a  good  root. 
Sir  H.     'Oman,  forbear. 
M.  Pa.  Peace. 

Sir  H.    What  is  your  genitive  cafe  plural,  William  ? 
Will.    Genitive  cafe  ? 
Sir  H.  Ay. 

Will.    Genitive  —  horum,  harum,  horum. 
^uic.     Vengeance  of  Jenny  §  cafe!  fie  on  her  l^never 
name  her,  child,  if  {he  be  a  whore. 
Sir  H.    For  fhame,  'oman. 

Quic.     You  do  ill  to  teach  the  child  fuch  words 
he  teaches  him  to  hie,  and  to  hac,  which  they'll  do  fall 
enough  of  themfelves ;  and  to  call,  horum      Fie  upon 
you ! 

Sir  H.  'Oman,  art  thou  lunaticks?  haft  thou  no 
underftandings  for  thy  cafes,  and  the  numbers  of  the 
genders  ?  thou  art  as  foolifh  chriftian  creatures,  as  I 
would  desires. 

M.  Pa.  Pr'ythee,  hold  thy  peace. 

Sir  H.     Shew  me  now,  William,  fome  declenfions  of 


*7  Lunaties  ? 


3  bt  merry  Wi  ves  of  Windfor. 


your  pronouns. 

Will.    Forfooth,  I  have  forgot. 

Sir  H.  It  is,  qui,  qua,  quod :  if  you  forget  your 
qu'is,  your  qua's,.  and  your  quod's,  you  mull  be  preechcs. 
Go  your  ways,  and  play;  go. 

M.  Pa.  He  is  a  better  fcholar,  than  1  thought  he  was. 

Sir  H.  He  is  a  good  fprag  memory.  Farewel,  mif- 
trefs Page. 

M.  Pa.  Adieu,  good  fir  Hugh.  —Get  you  home,  boy. 
_Come,  we  flay  too  long.  [Exeunt. 

S  CENE  II.  A  Roo?n  in  Ford's  Houfe. 
Enter  Falstaff,  and  Miftrefs  Ford. 
Fals.  Miftrefs  Ford,  your  forrow  hath  eaten  up 
my  fufferance:  I  fee,  you  are  obfequious  in  your  love, 
and  I  profefs  requital  to  a  hair's  breadth  ;  not  only,  mif- 
trefs Ford,  in  the  fimple  office  of  love,  but  in  all  the 
accoutrement,  complement,  and  ceremony  of  it.  But 
arc  you  fure  of  your  husband  now  ? 

M.  Fo.    He's  a  birding,  fweet  fir  John. 

M.  Pa.  [within.]  What  hoa,  goflip  Ford!  whathoa! 

M.  Fo.    Step  into  the  chamber,  fir  John. 

[Exit  Falstaff. 
Enter  Miftrefs  Page. 
M.  Pa.  How  now,  fweet  heart?  who's  at  home  be- 
(ides  yourfeif? 
M.  Fo.    Why,  none  but  mine  own  people. 
M.  Pa.  Indeed  ? 

M.  Fo.   No,  certainly:  M  Speak  louder." 

M.  Pa.  Truly,  I  am  fo  glad  you  have  no  body  here : 

M.Fo.  Why? 

il/.  Pa.  Why,  woman,  your  husband  is  in  his  old 


Vol.  I, 


P 


63 


Tbf  merry  Wives  tf  Windfor. 


Junes  again  :  he  fo  takes  on  yonder  with  my  husband; 
fo  rails  againft  all  marry'd  mankind;  fo  curfes  all  Eve  $ 
daughters,  of  what  complexion  foever ;  and  fo  buffets 
himfelf  on  the  forehead,  crying,  Peer  out,  peer  out ;  that 
any  madnefs,  I  ever  yet  beheld,  feem'd  but  tamenefs, 
civility,  and  patience,  to  this  his  diftemper  he  is  in 
now :  I  am  glad,  the  fat  knight  is  not  here. 

M.  Fo.    Why,  does  he  talk  of  him  ? 

M.  Pa.  Of  none  but  him;  and  fvvears  he  was  car- 
ry'd  out,  the  laft  time  he  fearch'd  for  him,  in  a  bafket: 
protefts  to  my  husband,  he  is  now  here;  and  hath 
drawn  him  and  the  reft  of  their  company  from  their 
fport,  to  make  another  experiment  of  his  fufpicion  : 
But  I  am  glad,  the  knight  is  not  here ;  now  he  mall  fee 
his  own  foolery. 

M.  Fo.   How  near  is  he,  miftrefs  Page? 

M.  Pa.  Hard  by ;  at  ftreet  end ;  he  will  be  here  anon. 

M.  Fo.    I  am  undone  !  —  the  knight  is  here. 

M.  Pa.  Why,  then  you  are  utterly  fham'd,  and  he's 
but  a  dead  man.  What  a  woman  are  you !  Away  with 
him,  away  with  him  ;  Better  fhame  than  murther. 

M.  Fo..  Why,  which  way  mould  he  go ?  how  mould 
I  bellow  him?  Shall  I  put  him  into  the  bafket  again  ? 
Re-enter  Falst aFf. 

Fals.  No,  I'M  come  no  more  i'  th*  bafket May 
I  not  go  out  ere  he  come? 

M.  Pa.  Alas,  three  of  mafter  Ford^s  brothers  watch 
the  door  with  piftols,  that  none  mail  iffue  out ;  other- 
wise, you  might  flip  away  ere  he  came  :  But  what  make 
you  here? 

Fals.  What  fhall  I  do  ?_P11  creep  up  into  the  chim- 
ney. 


*  lines 


The  merry  Wives  of  Windfor.  69 


M.  Fo.   There  they  always  use  to  difcharge  their 
birding  pieces  :  Creep  into  the  kiln-hole. 
Fals.     Where  is  it? 

M.  Fo.  He  will  feek  there,  on  my  word  :  neither 
prefs,  coffer,  cheft,  trunk,  well,  vault,  but  he  hath  an 
abftract  for  the  remembrance  of  fuch  places,  and  goes 
to  them  by  his  note :  There  is  no  hiding  you  in  the 
houfe. 

Fals.     I'll  go  out  then. 

M.  Fo.    If  you  go  out  in  your  own  femblanee,  you 

dye,  fir  John ;  unlefs  you  go  out  difguis'd,  How  might 

we  difguise  him  ? 

M.  Pa.  Alas  the  day,  I  know  not :  there  is  no  wo- 
man's gown  big  enough  for  him ;  otherwise,  he  might 
put  on  a  hat,  a  muffler,  and  a  kerchief,  and  fo  efcape. 

Fals.  Good  hearts,  devise  fomething :  any  extre- 
mity, rather  than  a  mifchief. 

M.  Fo.  My  maid's  aunt,  the  fat  woman  of  Brent- 
ford, has  a  gown  above. 

M.  Pa.  On  my  word,  it  will  ferve  him;  (he's  as 
big  as  he  is :  and  there's  her  thrumb  hat,  and  her  muf- 
fler too  j  _  Run  up,  fir  John. 

M.  Fo.  Go,  go,  fweet  fir  John  :  miftrefs  Page,  and 
I,  will  look  fome  linnen  for  your  head. 

M.  Pa.  Quick,  quick ;  we'll  come  drefs  you  ftraight : 
put  on  the  gown  the  while.  [Exit  Falstaff. 

M.  Fo.  I  would,  my  husband  would  meet  him  in 
this  fliape :  he  cannot  abide  the  old  woman  of  Brentford ; 
he  fwears,  fhe's  a  witch  ;  forbad  her  my  houfe,  and  hath 
threaten'd  to  beat  her. 

M.  Pa.  Heaven  guide  him  to  thy  husband's  cudgel ; 
and  the  devil  guide  his  cudgel  afterwards ! 

P: 


The  merry  Wives  of  Windfor, 


M.  Fo.   But  is  my  husband  coming  ? 

M.  Pa.  Ay,  in  good  fadnefs,  is  he  ;  and  talks  of  the 
fcafket  too,  howfoever  he  hath  had  intelligence. 

M.  Fo.  We'll  try  that;  for  Til  appoint  my  men  ta 
carry  the  bafket  again,  to  meet  him  at  the  door  with 
it,  as  they  did  lafl  time. 

Af.  Fa.  Nay,  but  he'll  be  here  presently:  let's  go 
drefs  him  like  the  witch  of  Brentford. 

M.  Fo.  I'll  firft  direft  my  men,  what  they  lhall  do 
with  the  bafket:— 'Go  up  ;  Ul  bring  linnen  for  him 
ftraight.  [Exit. 

M.  Pa.  Hang  him  difhonefl:  varlet !  we  cannot  mif- 
use  torn  enough. 

We'll  leave  a  proof,  by  that  which  we  will  do, 
Wives  may  be  merry,  and  yet  honeft  too : 
We  do  not  aft,  that  often  jefi  and  laugh ; 
'Tis  old,  but  true,  Still  fwine  eats  all  the  draff.  [Exit. 
Re-enter  Miftrefs  Ford,  with  her  tzvo  Men. 
M.  Fo.   Go,  firs,  take  the  bafket  again  on  your  moul- 
ders ;  your  mafter  is  hard  at  door;  if  he  bid  you  fet  it 
down,  obey  him  :  quickly,  difpatch.  [Exit. 

1.  Ser.    Come,  come,  take  it  up. 

2.  Ser.  Pray  heaven,  it  be  not  full  of  tl)Z  knight 
again ! 

i .  Ser.    I  hope  not ;  I  had  as  lief  bear  fo  much  lead. 
Enter  Ford,  Page,  Shallow, 
and  Sir  Hugh  Evans. 
Ford.     Ay,  but  if  it  prove  true,  mafter  Page,  have 
you  any  way  then  to  unfool  me  again  ?— Set  down  the 
bafket,  villain -.—Somebody  call  my  wife : —Youth  3r* 
st  bafket!— O,  you  panderly  rafcals !— there's  a  knot,  a 
gang,  a  pack,  a  confpiracy  againft  me  :  —  Now  fhall  the 


3*  ging 


The  merry  Wives  ^Windfor. 


devil  be  fham'd  :__What,  wife,  I  fay  !  come,  come  forth; 
behold  what  honeft  cloaths  you  fend  forth  to  bleaching* 

Pace.  Why,  this  paffes !— Mafter  Ford,  you  are  not 
to  go  loofe  any  longer;  you  muft  be  pinion'd. 

Sir  H.  Why,  this  is  lunaticks !  this  is  mad  as  a 
mad  dog! 

Shal.  Indeed,  mafter  Ford,  this  is  not  well;  in- 
deed. 

Enter  Miftrefs  Ford. 

Ford.     So  fay  I  too,  fir  Come  hither,  miRrefs  Ford ; 

miftrefs  Ford,  the  honeft  woman,  the  modeft  wife,  the 
virtuous  creature,  that  hath  the  jealous  fool  to  her  hus- 
band !  I  fufpeft  without  cause,  miftrefs ;  do  I  ? 

M.  Fo.  Heaven  be  my  witnefs,  you  do,  if  you  fuf- 
peel:  me  in  any  difhonefty. 

Ford.  Well  faid,  brazen- face;  hold  it  out: —Come 
forth,  firrah.  [pulling  cut  the  Cloaths . 

Page.    This  paffes ! 

M.  Fo.   Are  you  not  afham'd  ?  let  the  cloaths  alone. 
Ford.     I  (hall  find  you  anon. 
Sir  H.     'Tis  unreasonable  !  —Will  you  take  up  your 
wife's  cloaths  ?  come  away. 

Ford.     Empty  the  bafket,  I  fay. 
M.  Fo.    Why,  man,  why  — 

Ford.  Mafter  Page,  as  I  am  a  man,  there  was  one 
convey'd  out  of  my  houfe  yefterday  in  this  bafket;  Why 
may  not  he  be  there  again  ?  In  my  houfe,  I  am  fure, 
he  is :  my  intelligence  is  true  ;  my  jealoufy  is  reason- 
able;—Pluck  me  out  all  the  linnen. 

M.  Fo.  If  you  find  a  man  there,  he  fhall  dye  a 
flea's  death. 

Page.    Here's  no  man. 


7* 


The  merry  Wives  c/'Windfor. 


Shal  .  By  my  fidelity,  this  is  not  well,  mailer  Ford; 
this  wrongs  you. 

Sir  H.  Matter  Ford,  you  muft  pray,  and  not  follow 
the  imaginations  of  your  own  heart :  this  is  jealoufies. 

Ford.     Well,  he's  not  here  I  feek  for* 

Page.    No,  nor  no  where  elfe  but  in  your  brain. 

Ford.  Help  to  fearch  my  houfe  this  one  time  :  if 
I  find  not  what  I  feek,  (hew  no  colour  for  my  extremi- 
ty ;  let  me  for  ever  be  your  table-fport ;  let  them  fay 
of  me,  As  jealous  as  Ford,  that  fearch'd  a  hollow  wal- 
nut for  his  wife's  leman :  Satiffy  me  once  more;  once 
more  fearch  with  me. 

M.  Fo.  What  ho,  miftrefs  Page!  come  you,  and  the 
old  woman,  down ;  my  husband  will  come  into  the 
chamber. 

Ford.     Old  woman  !  what  old  woman's  that  ? 

M.  Fo.    Why,  it  is  my  maid's  aunt  of  Brentford. 

Ford.  A  witch,  a  quean,  an  old  cozening  quean  L- 
Have  I  not  forbid  her  my  houfe?  She  comes  of  er- 
rands, does  fhe  ?  We  are  fimple  men*  we  do  not  know 
what's  brought  to  pafs  under  the  profefiion  of  fortune- 
telling*  She  works  by  charms,  by  fpells,  by  the  figure, 
and  fuch  dawbery  as  this  is ;  beyond  our  element*  we 
know  nothing*— Come  down,  you  witch,  you  hag  you ; 
come  down,  I  fay. 

M.  Fo.  Nay,  good  fweet  husband  ;_good  gentle- 
men, let  him  not  ftrike  the  old  woman. 

Enter  Mijirefs  Pace  ;  leading  in 
Falftaff,  difguis'd. 

M.  Pa.   ComermotherPrtf/,come,give  me  your  hand. 

Ford.  I'll  Prat  her:— .Out  of  my  doors,  you 
witch;  [to  Falf.]  you  hag,  you  baggage,  you  poulcat, 


The  merry  Wives  of  Windfbr. 


73 


you  ronyon!  out,  out!  I'll  conjure  you,  I'll  fortune-tell 
you.  [Seating,  and  driving  bim  out. 

M.  Pa.  Are  you  not  afham'd  ?  I  think,  you  have 
kiird  the  poor  woman.  [you% 

M.  Fo .    Nay,  he  will  do  it *Tis  a  goodly  credit  for 

Ford.     Hang  her  witch  ! 

Sir  H.  By  yea  and  no,  I  think  the  'oman  is  a  witch 
indeed:  I  like  not  when  a  'omans  has  a  great  peard ;  I 
fpy  a  great  peard  under  his  muffler. 

Ford.  Will  you  follow,  gentlemen?  I  befeech  you, 
follow  ;  fee  but  the  ifTue  of  my  jealoufy  :  if  I  cry  out 
thus  upon  no  trail,  never  truft  me  when  I  open  again. 

Page.  Let's  obey  his  humour  a  little  further: 
Come,  gentlemen. 

[Exeunt?  age,  Ford,  Shal.  and  Sir  Hugh. 

M.  Pa.  Truft  me,  he  beat  him  moft  pitifully. 

M.  Fo.  Nay,  by  th'  mafs,  that  he  did  not;  he  beat 
him  moft  unpitifully,  methought. 

M.  Pa.  I'll  have  the  cudgel  hallow'd,  and  hung  o'er 
the  altar  ;  it  hath  done  meritorious  fervice. 

M.  Fo.  What  think  you  ?  may  we^  with  the  war- 
rant of  womanhood,  and  the  witnefs  of  a  good  confci- 
ence,  purfue  him  with  any  further  revenge  ? 

M,  Pa.  The  fpirit  of  wantonnefs  is,  fure,  fear'd  out 
of  him  ;  if  the  devil  have  him  not  in  fee-fimple,  with 
fine  and  recovery,  he  will  never,  I  think,  in  the  way 
of  wafte,  attempt  us  again. 

M.  Fo.  Shall  we  tell  our  husbands  how  we  have 
ferv'd  him  ? 

M.  Pa.  Yes,  by  all  means ;  if  it  be  but  to  fcrape 
the  figures  out  of  your  husband's  brains :  If  they  can 
iind  in  their  hearts,  the  poor,  unvirtuous,  fat  knight 

1  Runnion 

P4 


74 


*lhe  merry  Wives  of  Wind  for. 


fhall  be  any  further  afflicted,  we  two  will  be  ftill  the 
minifters. 

M.  Fo.  I'll  warrant,  they'll  have  him  publickly 
fham'd  :  and,  methinks,  there  would  be  no  fit  period 
to  the  jeft,  fnould  he  not  be  publickly  lham'd. 

M.  Pa.  Come,  to  the  forge  with  it  then,  fhape  k; 
I  would  not  have  things  cool.  [Exeunt. 

SCENE  III.  A  Room  in  the  garter  Inn. 
Enter  Bardolph. 

Bard.  Sir,  the  Germans  desire  to  have  three  of 
your  horfes:  the  duke  himfelf  will  be  to-morrow  at 
court,  and  they  are  going  to  meet  him. 

Ho/?.  What  duke  fiiould  that  be,  comes  fo  fecret- 
ly  ?  I  hear  not  of  him  in  the  court Let  me  fpeak  with 
the  gentlemen  ;  They  fpeak  Englijh  ? 

Bard.    Ay,  fir;  I'll  call  them  to  you. 

Ho/?.  They  fhall  have  my  horfes ;  but  I'll  make 
them  pay,  I'll  fauce  them:  they  have  had  my  houses 
a  week  at  command ;  I  have  turn'd  away  my  other 
guefts :  they  mull  not  come  off;  I'll  fauce  them . 
Come*  [Exeunt. 

SC  E  NE  IV.    A  Room  in  Ford'/  Houfe. 
Enter  Sir  Hugh,  Page,  Ford,  Mijirefs  Page, 
andMiJlrefs  Ford. 
Sir  H.     'Tis  one  of  the  bell:  difcretions  of  a  'omana 
as  ever  I  did  look  upon. 

Page  And  did  he  fend  you  both  these  "f"  letters 
at  an  inftant? 

M.  Pa.  Within  a  quarter  of  an  hour.  [wilt  \ 

Ford.     Pardon  me,  wife :  Henceforth  do  what  thou. 


11  Germans  defires  .  *7  call  him  to 


The  merry  wives  of  Windfor. 


75 


I  rather  will  fufpecl  the  fun  with  cold, 

Than  thee  with  wantonnefs :  now  doth  thy  honour  ftand, 

In  him  that  was  of  late  an  heretick, 

As  firm  as  faith. 

Page.      'Tis  well,  'tis  well ;  no  more: 
Be  not  as  extream  in  fubmifiion, 
As  in  offence  ; 

But  let  our  plot  go  forward  :  let  our  wives 
Yet  once  again,  to  make  us  publick  fport, 
Appoint  a  meeting  with  this  old  fat  fellow, 
Where  we  may  take  him,  and  difgrace  him  for  it.  [of. 
Ford.     There  is  no  better  way  than  that  they  fpoke 
Pjge.     How!  fend  him  word,  they'll  meet  him  in 
At  midnight !  fie,  fie  ;  he  will  never  come,    [the  park 
Sir  H.     You  fay,  he  has  been  thrown  in  the  rivers ; 
and  has  been  grievoufly  peaten,  as  an  old  'oman :  me- 
thinks,  there  fhould  be  terrors  in  him,  that  he  mould 
not  come;  methinks,  his  flefn  is  punihYd,  he  mall  have 
no  desires. 

Page.    So  think  I  too.  [comes, 
M.  Fo.   Devise  but  how  you'll  use  him  when  he 
And  let  us  two  devise  to  bring  him  thither.  [ter, 
M.  Pa.  There  is  an  old  tale  goes,  that  Heme  the  hun* 
Sometime  a  keeper  here  in  Windfor  foreft, 
Doth  all  the  winter  time,  at  ftill  midnight, 
Walk  round  about  an  oak,  with  great jag'd  horns; 
And  there  he  blafts  the  tree,  and  takes  the  cattle, 
And  makes  milch-kine  yield  blood,  and  makes  a  chain 
In  a  moft  hideous  and  dreadful  manner  : 
You  have  heard  of  fuch  a  fpirit ;  and  well  you  know, 
The  fuperftitious  idle-headed  eld 
Receiv'd,  and  did  deliver  to  our  age, 


■  with  gold    !3  v.  Note    26  rag'd 


76  merry  Wives  c/*  Wind  for. 


This  tale  of  Hcrnt  the  hunter  for  a  truth. 

Page.    Why,  yet  there  want  not  many,  that  do  fear 
In  deep  of  night  to  walk  by  this  Hemes  oak  : 
But  what  of  this  ? 

M.  Fo.    Marry,  this  is  our  device ;  — 
That  Falflaff  at  that  oak  fhall  meet  with  us, 
Difguis'd  like  Heme,  with  huge  horns  on  his  head. 

Page.  Well,  let  it  not  be  doubted  but  he'll  come, 
And  in  this  fhape;  When  you  have  brought  him  thither, 
What  {hall  be  done  with  him  ?  what  is  your  plot  ?  [thus  : 

M.  Pa.  That  likewise  have  we  thought  upon,  and 
Nan  Page  my  daughter,  and  my  little  fon, 
And  three  or  four  more  of  their  growth,  we'll  drefs 
Like  urchins,  ouphes,  and  fairies,  green  and  white, 
With  rounds  of  waxen  tapers  on  their  heads, 
And  rattles  in  their  hands ;  upon  a  fudden, 
As  FalJIaff,  fhe,  and  I,  are  newly  met, 
Let  them  from  forth  a  fa w- pit  rum  at  once 
With  fome  diffused  fong:  upon  their  fight, 
We  two  in  great  amazednefs  will  fly : 
Then  let  them  all  encircle  him  about, 
And,  fairy -like  too,  pinch  the  unclean  knight; 
And  aik  him,  why,  that  hour  of  fairy  revel, 
In  their  fo  facred  paths  he  dares  to  tread 
In  fhape  prophane. 

Ford.     And,  'till  he  tell  the  truth, 
Let  the  fupposed  fairies  pinch  him  found, 
And  burn  him  with  their  tapers. 

M.  Pa.  The  truth  being  known, 
We'll  all  present  ourfelves  ;  difhorn  the  fpirit, 
And  mock  him  home  to  Wind/or. 

Ford.    The  children  mult 


22  like  to  pinch 


The  merry  Wives  of  Windfor. 


77 


Be  practie'd  well  to  this,  or  they'll  neVr  dot\ 

Sir  H.     I  will  teach  the  children  their  behaviours  ; 

and  I  will  be  like  a  jackanapes  alfo,  to  burn  the  knight 

with  my  taber.  [vizards. 
Ford.  That  will  be  excellent.  Til  go  buy  them 
M.  Pa.   My  Nan  mail  be  the  queen  of  all  the  fairies, 

Finely  attired  in  a  robe  of  white. 

Page.    That  filk  will  I  go  buy ;  "  and,  in  that  time," 

"  Shall  matter  Slender  ileal  my  Nan  away," 

"  And  marry  her  at  Eaton"  Go,  fend  to  Falftajf 

Straight. 

Ford.     Nay,  I'll  to  him  again  in  name  of  Brook  : 
He'll  tell  me  all  his  purpose  :  Sure,  he'll  come. 

M.  Pa.  Fear  not  you  that :  Go,  get  us  properties, 
And  tricking  for  our  fairies. 

Sir  H.  Let  us  about  it :  It  is  admirable  pleasures, and 
fery  honeft  knaveries.  [Exeunt  Ford,  Page,  and  Sir  H. 

M.  Pa.  Go,  miftrefs  Ford, 
Send  quickly  to  fir  John,  to  know  his  mind. 

[Exit  Miftrefs  Ford. 
I'll  to  the  doctor ;  he  hath  my  good  will, 
And  none  but  he,  to  marry  with  Nan  Page. 
That  Slender,  though  well  landed,  is  an  ideot; 
And  he  my  husband  beft  of  all  affects : 
The  doctor  is  well  money'd,  and  his  friends 
Potent  at  court ;  he,  none  but  he,  mall  have  her, 
Though  twenty  thousand  worthier  come  to  crave  her. 

SCENE  V.  A  Room  in  the  garter  Inn. 
Enter  Holt,  and  Simple. 
Ho  ft.       What  would'ft  thou  have,  boor?  what,  thick- 
(kin  ?  fpeak,  breath,  difcuft  ;  brief,  rtiort,  quick,  fnap. 


7« 


The  merry  Wives  cf  Windfor. 


Sim?.  Marry,  fir,  I  come  to  fpeak  with  fir  John 
F  alflajff vom  mailer  Slender. 

Hcjh  There's  his  chamber,  his  houfe,  his  caf- 
tle,  his  ftanding-bed  and  truckle-bed ;  'tis  painted  a- 
bout  with  the  ftory  of  the  prodigal,  frefh  and  new: 
Go,  knock  and  call ;  he'll  fpeak  like  an  Antbropopba- 
ginian  unto  thee:  Knock,  1  fay. 

Simp.  There's  an  old  woman,  a  fat  woman,  gone 
up  into  his  chamber  ;  I'll  be  fo  bold  as  ftay,  fir,  'till 
fhe  come  down  :  I  come  to  fpeak  with  her,  indeed. 

Haft.  Ha!  a  fat  woman  ?  the  knight  may  be  rob'd: 
I'll  call.  _Bully  knight!  bully  fir  John  !  fpeak  from 
thy  lungs  military;  Art  thou  there?  it  is  thine  holt, 
thine  Epbesian,  calls. 

Fjls.     [above]  How  now,  mine  hoft  ? 

lioft.  Here's  a  BobemiUn-1 artar  tarries  the  com- 
ing down  of  thy  fat  woman:  Let  her  defcend,  bully, 
let  her  defcend ;  my  chambers  are  honourable :  Fie ! 
privacy  ?  fie ! 

Enter  Falstaff. 

Fjsls.  There  was,  mine  hoft,  an  old  fat  woman 
even  now  with  me ;  but  file's  gone. 

Simp.  Pray  you,  fir,  was't  not  the  wise  woman  of 
Brentford? 

Fals.  Ay,  marry,  was  it,  mulTel-lhell ;  What 
would  you  with  her  ? 

Simp.  My  matter,  fir,  my  mafter  Slender,  fent  to 
her,  feeing  her  go  thorough  the  ftreets,  to  know,  fir, 
whether  one  Nym,  fir,  that  beguil'd  him  of  a  chain,  had 
the  chain,  or  no. 

Fjls.     I  fpake  with  the  old  woman  about  it. 

Simp.     And  what  fays  fhe,  I  pray,  fir? 


The  merry  Wives  of  Windfar. 


79 


Fals.  Marry,  fhefays,  that  the  very  fame  man,  that 
beguil'd  mafter  Slender  of  his  chain,  cozen'd  him  of  it. 

Simp.  I  would,  I  could  have  fpoken  with  the  wo- 
man herfelf ;  I  had  other  things  to  have  fpokcn  will* 
her  too,  from  him. 

Fals.     What  are  they?  let  us  know. 

Hoft.       Ay,  come  ;  quick. 

Simp.     I  may  net  conceal  them,  fir. 

Hoft.       Conceal  them,  or  thou  dy'lt. 

Simp.  Why,  fir,  they  were  nothing  but  about  mif- 
trefs  Anne  Page ;  to  know,  if  it  were  my  mailer's  for- 
tune to  have  her,  or  no. 

Fals.     'Tis,  'tis  his  fortune. 

Simp.     What,  fir  ? 

Fals.  To  have  her,  or  no  :  Go  ;  fay,  the  woman 
told  me  fo. 

Simp.     May  I  be  bold  to  fuy  fo,  fir  ? 

Fals.     Ay,  fir;  like  who  more  bold. 

Simp  .  I  thank  your  worfhip :  I  lhall  make  my  maf- 
ter glad  with  these  tidings.  [Exit. 

Ho/f.  Thou  art  clerkly,  thou  art  clerkly,  fir  John  : 
Was  there  a  wise  woman  with  thee  ? 

Fals.  Ay,  that  there  was,  mine  hoft ;  one  that  hath 
taught  me  more  wit  than  ever  I  learn'd  before  in  my 
life :  and  I  pay'd  nothing  for  it  neither  but  was  pay\I 
for  my  learning. 

Enter  Bardolph,  haftily. 

Bard.    Out,  alas,  fir !  cozenage,  meer  cozenage  I 

Hoft.  Where  be  my  horfes  ?  fpeak  well  of  them, 
varletto. 

Bard.  Run  away  with  the  cozeners :  for  fo  foon 
ac  [  came  beyond  Eaten,  they  threw  me  off,  from  be- 


8  Fa!t  I  may 


8o  The  merry  Wives  of  Windfon 

hind  one  of  them,  in  a  flough  of  mire  ;  and  fet  fpurs, 
and  away,  like  three  German  divels,  three  doctor 
Faujtus's. 

Ho  ft.       They  are  gone  but  to  meet  the  duke,  villain : 
do  not  fay,  they  be  fled  ;  Germans  are  honeft  men. 
Enter  Sir  Hugh  Evans* 

Sir  H.     Where  is  mine  holi  ? 

Uoft.       What  is  the  matter,  fir  ? 

Sir  H.  Have  a  care  of  your  entertainments :  there 
is  a  friend  of  mine  come  to  town,  tells  me,  there  is 
three  cousin  germans,  that  has  cozen'd  all  the  hofts  of 
Readings,  of  Maidenhead,  of  Colebrook,  of  horfes  and  mo- 
ney. I  tell  you  for  good  will*  look  you :  yt>u  are  wise, 
and  full  of  gibes  and  vlouting-ftogs;  and  'tis  not  con- 
venient  you  fnould  be  cozened :  Fare  you  well.  [Exit. 
Enter  Doctor  C  A I  u  s . 

D.  Cai.  Vere  is  mine  hoft  de  jartere? 

Hoft.  Here,  mailer  dodlor ;  in  perplexity,  and 
doubtful  dilemma. 

D.  Cai.  I  cannot  tell  vat  is  dat :  But  it  is  te!l-a  me, 
dat  you  make  grand  preparation  for  a  duke  de  Jamany  : 
by  my  trot,  dere  is  no  duke,  dat  de  court  is  know,  to 
come  :  I  tell  you  for  good  vill :  adieu.  [Exit. 

Hoft.  Hue  and  cry,  villain,  go:  — aflift  me,  knight; 
I  am  undone:— fly,  run,  hue  and  cry,  villain;  I  am 
undone!  [Exeunt  Hoft,  WBardolph.- 

Fals.  I  would,  all  the  world  might  be  cozen'd  ; 
for  I  have  been  cozen'd,  and  beaten  too.  If  it  mould 
come  to  the  ear  of  the  court,  how  I  have  been  tranf- 
formed,  and  how  my  tranfformation  hath  been  wafh'd 
and  cudgel'd,  they  would  melt  me  out  of  my  fat,  drop 
by  drop,  and  liquor  fifliermen's  boots  with  me 3 1  warrant, 


The  merry  Wives  of  Windfor. 


81 


they  would  whip  me  with  their  fine  wits,  'till  I  were  as 
creit-fall'n  as  a  dry'd  pear.  I  never  profper'd  fince  I 
forfwore  myfelf  at  Primero.  Well,  if  my  wind  were  but 
long  enough  to  fay  my  prayers,  I  would  repent — Now  ! 

Enter  Mijlrefs  Qu ickly. 
whence  come  you  r 

£>uic.     From  the  two  parties,  forfooth. 

Fals.  The  devil  take  one  party,  and  his  dam  the 
ether,  and  fo  they  mail  be  both  bellowed !  I  have  fuf- 
fer'd  more  for  their  fakes,  more,  than  the  villainous 
inconftancy  of  man's  difposition  is  able  to  bear. 

£>uic.  And  have  not  they  fuffer'd  .?  yes,  I  warrant ; 
'fpecioufly  one  of  them ;  miflrefs  Ford,  good  heart,  is 
beaten  black  and  t>lue,  that  you  cannot  fee  a  whice 
fpot  about  her. 

Fals.  What  tell'ft  thou  me  of  black  and  blue?  I 
was  beaten  myfelf  into  all  the  colours  of  the  rain-bow; 
and  I  was  like  to  be  apprehended  for  the  witch  of 
Brentford:  but  that  my  admirable  dexterity  of  wit,  my 
counterfeiting  the  action  of  an  old  woman,  deliver'd 
me,  the  knave  conilable  had  fet  me  i'the  ftocks,  i'th' 
common  ftocks,  for  a  witch. 

Quic.  Sir,  let  me  fpeak  with  you  in  your  chamber : 
you  mall  hear  how  things  go  ;  and,  I  warrant,  to  your 
content:  here  is  a  letter  "j"  will  fay  fomevvhat.  Good 
hearts,  what  ado  here  is  to  bring  you  together !  fure, 
one  of  you  does  not  ferve  heaven  well,  that  you  are  fo 
crofTd. 

Fall     Come  up  into  my  chamber.  [Exeunt. 

SCENE  VI.  Another  Room. 
Enter  Hoft,  and  Fen  ton. 


22 


The  merry  Wives  of  Windfor* 


Ho/?.  Mailer  Fenton,  talk  not  to  me  ;  my  mind  is 
heavy,  I  will  give  over  all. 

Fent.     Yet  hear  me  fpeak ;  Affift  me  in  my  purpose, 
And,  as  I  am  a  gentleman,  Til  give  thee 
A  hundred  pound  in  gold,  more  than  your  lofs. 

Hoft.  I  will  hear  you,  matter  Pent  on  ;  and  I  will, 
at  the  lean1,  keep  your  counfel. 

Fent.    From  time  to  time  I  have  acquainted  you 
With  the  dear  love  I  bear  to  fair  Anne  Page ; 
Who,  mutually,  hath  anfwer'd  my  affection 
{So  far  forth  as  herfelf  might  be  her  chooser) 
Even  to  my  with  :  I  have  a  letter  from  her, 
Of  fuch  contents  as  you  will  wonder  at ; 
The  mirth  whereof '0  fo  larded  with  my  matter, 
That  neither,  fingly,  can  be  manifefted 
Without  the  fhew  of  both  :  fat  fir  John  Falftaff 
Hath  a  great  fcene  in  it :  the  image  of  the  jell 
I'll  fhow  you  "j"  here  at  large.  Hark,  good  mine  hoft: 
To-night  at  Heme's  oak,  jult  'twixt  twelve  and  one, 
Muft  my  fweet  Nan  present  the  fairy  queen ; 
The  purpose  why,  is  "f~  here ;  in  which  difguise, . 
While  other  jefts  are  fomething  rank  on  foot, 
Her  father  hath  commanded  her  to  flip 
Away  with  Slender,  and  with  him  at  Eaton 
Immediately  to  marry :  me  hath  confented  :  Now,  fir, 
Her  mother,  ever  ftrong  again  ft  that  match, 
And  firm  for  doctor  Cains,  hath  appointed 
That  he  (hall  likewise  muffle  her  away, 
While  other  fports  are  taking  off  their  minds, 
And  at  the  deanery,  where  a  pricfl:  attends, 
Straight  marry  her :  to  this  her  mother's  plot 
She  ieemingly  obedient  likewise  hath 


26  (even  ftrong    29  talking  of 


The  merry  Wives  Windfor. 


*3 


IVkde  promise  to  the  do&or:—  Now,  thus  it  refts  : 

Her  father  means  (he  lhall  be  all  in  white  ; 

And  in  that  habit,  when  Slender  fees  his  time 

To  take  her  by  the  hand  and  bid  her  go* 

She  lhall  go  with  him  :  her  mother  hath  intended, 

The  better  to  denote  her  to  the  do&or, 

(For  they  mull:  all  be  mafk'd  and  vizarded) 

That  quaint  in  green  me  fhall  be  loofe  enrob'd* 

With  ribbands  pendant  flaring  'boat  her  head  ; 

And  when  the  doclor  fpies  his  vantage  ripe, 

To  pinch  her  by  the  hand,  and,  on  that  token, 

The  maid  hath  given  confent  to  go  with  him.    [ther  ? 

Hoft.       Which  means  fhe  deceiver  father,  or  mo- 

FenT.     Both,  my  good  hoft,  to  go  along  with  me  : 
And  here  it  refts, —that  youMl  procure  the  vicar 
To  ftay  for  me  at  church,  'twixt  twelve  and  one, 
And,  in  the  lawful  name  of  marrying, 
To  give  our  hearts  united  ceremony. 

Hoft.  Well,  husband  your  device  ;  I'll  to  the  vicar : 
Bring  you  the  maid,  you  (hall  not  lack  a  prieft. 

FenT.     So  fhall  I  evermore  be  bound  to  thee  ; 
Befides,  I'll  make  a  present  recompence.  [Exeunt. 


jct  v. 

SCENE  I.  A  Room  in  the  garter  Inn. 
Enter  Falstaff,  and  Quickly. 

Fals.  Pr'ythee,  no  more  pratling;  go,  I'll  hold: 
This  is  the  third  time ;  I  hope,  good  luck  lyes  in  odd 
numbers :  Away,  go  ;  they  fay,  there  is  divinity  in  odd 
numbers,  eicher  in  nativity,  chance,  or  death  :  away. 


6  devote 


Q 


The  merry  Wives  of  Windfor. 


Skric.  I'll  provide  you  a  chain ;  and  I'll  do  what 
I  can  to  get  you  a  pair  of  horns. 

Fals.  Away,  I  fay;  time  wears:  hold  up  your 
head,  and  mince.  [Exit  Quickly. 

Enter  Ford. 

How  now,  mailer  Brcok?  Mailer  Brook,  the  matter  will 
be  known  to-night,  or  never:  Be  you  in  the  park,  a- 
bout  midnight,  at  Heme's  oak,  and  you  fliall  fee  won- 
ders. 

Ford.  Went  ycu  not  to  her  yefterday,  fir,  as  you 
told  me  you  had  appointed  ? 

Fals.  I  went  to  her,  mailer  Brook,  as  you  fee,  like 
a  poor  old  man  ;  but  1  came  from  her,  mailer  Brookr 
like  a  poor  old  woman.  That  fame  knave  Ford,  her 
husband,  hath  the  fineft  mad  devil  of  jealoufy  in  him, 
mailer  Brook:  that  ever  govern'd  frenzy:  [will  tell  you,-- 
He  beat  me  grievoufly,  in  the  fhape  of  a  woman  :  for, 
in  the  fhape  of  man,  mailer  Brook,  I  fear  not  Goliah 
with  a  weaver's  beam ;  because  1  know  alfo,  life  is  a 
fhuttle.  I  am  in  halle;  go  along  with  me;  I'll  tell  you 
all,  mailer  Brock:  Since  I  pluck'd  geefe,  play'd  truant, 
and  whip'd  top,  I  knew  not  what  'twas  to  be  beaten, 
'till  lately.  Follow  me:  I'll  tell  you  ftrange  things  of 
this  knave  Ford;  on  whom  to-night  I  will  be  revenged, 
and  I  will  deliver  his  wife  into  your  hand.  Follow  : 
Strange  things  in  hand,  mater  Brook  I  follow.  [Exeunt. 

SCENE  II.  J  Street. 
Enter  Page,  Shallow,  and  S  l  e  n  d  f  r  . 
Page.    Come,  come;  we'll  couch  i'the  caille-ditch, 
'till  we  fee  the  light  of  our  fairies — Remember,  fon 
Slender,  my  daughter. 


The  merry  Wives  of  Wind  for. 


Slen.  Ay,  forfooth  ;  I  have  fpoke  with  her,  and 
we  have  a  nay-word,  how  to  know  one  another :  I 
come  to  her  in  white,  and  cry,  mum;  me  cries,  bad- 
get  ;  and  by  that  we  know  one  another. 

Shal.  That's  good  too;  But  what  needs  either 
vour  mum,  or  her  budget?  the  white  will  decipher 
her  well  enough— It  hath  rtrook  ten  o'clock. 

Page.  The  night  is  dark ;  light  and  fpirits  will  be- 
come it  well.  Heaven  profper  our  fport!  None  means 
evil,  But  the  d^//;-~and  we  mall  know  him  by  his 
horns.   Let's  away;  follow  me.  [Exeunt. 

S  CE  NE  III.    Another  Street ,  hading  to  the  Park. 

Enter  Mijlrefs  Page,  Caius,  and Miftrefs  Ford. 

M.  Pa.  Mailer  doclor,  my  daughter  is  in  green  : 
when  you  fee  your  time,  take  her  by  the  hand,  away 
with  her  to  the  deanery,  and  difpatch  it  quickly  :  Go 
before  into  the  park;  we  two  mult  go  together. 

D.  Cai.  I  know  vat  I  have  to  do ;  Adieu. 

M.  Pa.  Fare  you  well,  fir.  [Exit  Caius.]  My  hus- 
band will  not  rejoice  fo  much  at  the  abufe  of  Faljtafi 
as  he  will  chafe  at  the  doctor's  marrying  my  daughter : 
but  'tis  no  matter ;  better  a  little  chiding,  than  a  great 
deal  of  heart-break. 

M.  Fo .  Where  is  Nan  now,  and  her  troop  of  fairies  ? 
and  the  Welch  devil,  Hugh? 

M.  Pa.  They  are  all  couch'd  in  a  pit  hard  by  Heme's 
oak,  with  obfeur'd  lights ;  which,  at  the  very  inltant 
of  Faljiaff^s  and  our  meeting,  they  will  at  once  difplay 
to  the  night. 

M.  Fo.   That  cannot  choose  but  amaze  him. 

M.  Pa.   If  he  be  not  amaz'd,  he  will  be  mock'd  ;  if 


9  No  man  meanes       "6  Htrne? 


The  merry  Wives  of  Windfor. 


he  be  amaz'd,  he  will  every  way  be  mock'd. 

M.  Fo.   We'll  betray  him  finely. 

M.  Fa.  Againft  fuch  lewdfters,  and  their  lechery, 
Those  that  betray  them  do  no  treachery. 

M.  Fo .   The  hour  draws  on ;  To  the  oak,  to  the  oak! 

[Exeunt. 

SCENE  IV.  The  Park. 
Enter  Sir  Hugh,  Piftol,  Quickly,  Anne  Page,  and0thers7 
vizarded,  and  dijguis* d  for  Fairies. 
Sir  H.  Trib,  trib,  fairies ;  come  ;  and  remember 
your  parts:  be  pold,  I  pray  you;  follow  me  into  the 
pit ;  and  when  I  give  the  wateh-'ords,  do  as  I  pid  you: 
Come,  come  ;  trib,  trib.  [Exeunt. 

SCENE  V.  Another  Part  of  the  ParL 
Enter  Fa L staff,  difguis'd. 
Fals  The  Windfor  bell  hath  ftrook  twelve;  the 
minute  draws  on  :  Now  the  hot-blooded  gods  afftft  meL 
Remember,  Jove,  thou  waft  a  bull  for  thy  Europa ; 
love  feton  thy  horns:— O  powerful  love!  that,  in  fome 
refpecls,  makes  a  beaft  a  man  ;  in  fome  other,  a  man  a 

beaft  You  were  alfo,  Jupiter,  a  fwan,  for  the  loVe  of 

Leda  :__0  omnipotent  love!  how  near  the  god  drew  to 
the  complexion  of  a  goofe?— A  fault  done  firft  in  the 
form  of  a  beaft  ;__0  Jove,  a  beaftly  fault  !__and  then  a- 
nother  fault  in  the  femblance  of  a  fowl;— think  on't, 
Jove;  a  foul  fault — When  gods  have  hot  backs,  whafr 
ihall  poor  men  do?  For  me,  I  am  here  a  Windfor  flag; 
and  the  fatteft,  I  think,  i'the  foreft :  Send  me  a  cool  rut- 
time,  Jove,  or  who  can  blame  me  to  pifs  my  tallow? 
Who  comes  here?  my  doe ? 


The  merry  Wives  of  Windfor. 


*7 


Enter  Mijirefs  Ford,  and  Mijirefs  Page. 
M.  Fo .   Sir  John  ?  art  thou  there,  my  deer  ;  my  male 
(leer  r 

Fals.  My  doe,  with  the  black  fcut  ?_ Let  the  fky 
rain  potatoes ;  let  it  thunder  to  the  tune  of  Srten-JIeeves ; 
kail  kifting-comfits,  and  fnovv  eringoes ;  let  there  come 
a  tempeft  of  provocation,  I  will  lheiter  me  here. 

[embracing  her, 

M.  Fo.    Miftrefs  Page  is  come  with  me,  fweet  heart. 

Fals.  Dividemelike  abrib'd-buck,  each  a  haunch  : 
I  will  keep  my  fides  to  myfeif,  my  iliouiders  or  the 
fellow  of  this  walk,  and  my  horns  I  bequeatn  your 
husbands.  Am  I  a  woodman  ?  ha!  fpeak  1  like  Heme 
the  hunter  ?_JWhy,  now  is  Cupid  a  child  of  confeience  ; 
he  makes  rellitution:_ As  I  am  a  true  fpirit,  welcome. 

M.  Pa.  Alas,  what  noise?  [Nrist  within* 

M.  Fo.   Heaven  forgive  our  Uns ! 

Fals.     What  mould  this  be? 

Worn.      Away,  away.  \jhey  run  ojf. 

Fals.  I  think,  the  devil  will  not  have  me  damn'd, 
left  the  oil  that's  in  me  mould  fet  hell  on  fire ;  he  would 
never  elfe  crofs  me  thus. 

Enter,  from  the  Pit,  Sir  Hugh,  and  his  Troop  of 
Fairies,  (with  Lights,  running. 

£>uic.     Fairies,  black,  grey,  green,  and  white, 
You  moon-mine  revellers,  and  (hades  of  night, 
You  orphan  heirs  of  fixed  deftiny, 
Attend  your  office,  and  your  quality.— 
Cryer  Hob-goblin,  make  the  fairy  o-yes, 

Pisr.      Elves,  lift  your  names ;  filence,  you  airy  toy*. 
Cricket,  to  Windfor  chimneys  fnalt  thou  leap: 
Where  fires  thou  find'ft  unrak'd,  and  hearths  unfwept,. 

0.3 


The  merry  Wives  ^Windfor. 


There  pinch  the  maids  as  blue  as  bilberry; 
Our  radiant  queen  hates  lluts,  and  fluttery.  [dye: 
Fals.     They  are  fairies;  he,thatfpeaks  to  them,  mall 
I'll  wink,  and  couch;  No  man  their  works  muft  eye. 

[lyes  down,  upon  his  Face. 
Sir  H.    Where's  PedeP—go  you,  and  where  you  find 
a  maid, 

That,  ere  (he  fleep,  has  thrice  her  prayers  faid, 

Rein  up  the  organs  of  her  fantafy ; 

Sleep  Ihe  as  found  as  carelefs  infancy : 

But  those,  as  fleep,  and  think  not  on  their  fins, 

Pinch  them  arms,  legs,  backs,  moulders,  fides,  and  fliins. 

6)uic%     •  About,  about; 

Search  Windfcr  caftle,  elves,  within  and  'out: 
Strew  good  luck,  ouphes,  on  every  facred  room; 
That  it  may  frand  'till  the  perpetual  doom, 
In  ftate  as  wholefome,  as  in  ftate  'tis  fit, 
Worthy  the  owner,  and  the  owner  it. 
The  feveral  chairs  of  order  look  you  fcour 
With  juice  of  balm  and  every  precious  flower: 
Each  fair  inftalment  coat,  and  feveral  creft, 
With  loyal  blazon,  evermore  be  bleft; 
And  nightly,  meadow  fairies,  look  you  fing, 
Like  to  the  garter's  compafs,  in  a  ring  : 
The  expreflure  that  it  bears,  green  let  it  be, 
More  fertile-frefh  than  alLthe  field  to  fee; 
And,  Honi Joit  qui  mal y  penfe,  write 
In  emerald  tufts,  flowers  purple,  blue,  and  white  ; 
Like  faphire,  pearl,  and  rich  embroidery, 
Buckl'd  below  fair  knighthood's  bending  knee; 
Fairies  use  flowers  for  their  characlery. 
Away;  difperfe  :  But  'till  'tis  one  o'clock, 


3  Raife  up         48  Tmrold  turTes 


The  merry  Wives  of  Windfor. 

Our  dance  of  cuftom,  round  about  the  oak 
Of  Heme  the  hunter,  let  us  not  forget. 

Sir  H.     Pray  you, 
Lock  hand  in  hand;  yourfelves  in  order  fet: 
And  twenty  glow-worms  (hall  our  lanthorns  be, 
To  guide  our  measure  round  about  the  tree — 
But,  ftay  ;  I  fmell  a  man  of  middle  earth. 

Fals.  Heavens  defend  me  from  that  Welch  fairy! 
left  he  tranfform  me  to  a  piece  of  cheese. 

Pjst.      Vile  worm,  thou  waft  o'er-look'd  even  in  thy 
birth. 

£>uic.     With  trial  fire  touch  me  his  finger  end: 
If  he  be  chaft,  the  flame  will  back  defcend, 
And  turn  him  to  no  pain  ;  but  if  he  ftart, 
It  is  the  flefh  of  a  corrupted  heart. 

Pisr.      A  trial,  come. 

Sir  H.     Come,  will  this  wood  take  fire  ? 

[applying  their  Tapers, 

Fals.     O,  o,  o  ! 

^uic.     Corrupt,  corrupt,  and  tainted  in  desire 
About  him,  fairies;  fing  a  fcornful  rime; 
And,  as  you  trip,  ftill  pinch  him  to  your  time. 
Song,     Fie  on finful  fantafy  ! 

Jie  on  luft,  and  luxury  ! 
lujl  is  hut  a  bloody  fire, 
kinciVd  with  unchajl  desire, 
fed  in  heart ;  whose  flames  afpire, 
as  thoughts  do  blow  them,  higher  and  higher  :~~ 
Pinch  him,  fairies,  mutually; 
pinch  him  for  his  r&iJianyi 
pinch  him,  and  burn  him,  and  turn  him  about, 
'till  candles  ,atid far  -light ,  and  moon-Jkinebe  out . 

0.4 


89 


90 


The  merry  Wives  of  Windfor. 


During  this  Song,  ( in  which  the  Fairies 
finch  Falftafr",  burn  him  with  their  Tapers,  and  dance 
about  him)  Doclor  Caius  comes  o?ie  way,  and  carries 
off  a  Fairy  in  green-,  Slender  another  way,  and  takes 
one  in  white  %  and  Fenton  Jieals  awav  Miftrefs 
Anne.  Noise  heard  within  :  Fairies  break  off  their 
J)ance:  FalftafF  rises:  and  Enter  Ford,  Page, 

Miftrefs  Ford  and  Miftrefs?  age. 
Page.    Nay,  do  not  fly  :  I  think,  we  have  watch'd 
you  now  ; 

Will  none  but  Heme  the  hunter  ferve  your  turn? 

M.  Pa.   Ipray  you, come,hold  up  the  jeft  no  higher 

Now,  good  fir  John,  how  like  you  Windjor  wives?  

See  you  ~|~  these,  husband  r  do  not  these  fair  oaks 
Become  the  foreft  better  than  the  town  ? 

Ford.  Now,  fir,  who's  a  cuckold  now?«_Mafter 
Brook,  Falftaff 's  a  knave,  a  cuckoldly  knave;  here  are 
his  horns,  mailer  Brook:  And  mafter  Brook,  he  hath 
enjoyed  nothing  of  Ford's,  but  his  buck-bafket,  his 
cudgel,  and  twenty  pounds  of  money;  which  mud  be 
pay'd  too,  mafter  Brook;  his  horfes  are  arretted  for  it, 
mafter  Brock. 

M.  Fo.  Sir  John,  we  have  had  ill  luck;  we  could 
never  meet :  I  will  never  take  you  for  my  love  again, 
but  I  will  always  count  you  my  deer. 

Fals.     1  do  begin  to  perceive  that  I  am  made  an  afs. 

Ford.     Ay,  and  an  ox  too ;  both  the  proofs  are  extant. 

Fals.  And  these  are  not  fairies  f  I  was  three  or 
four  times  in  the  thought,  they  were  not  fairies:  and 
yet  the  guiltinefs  of  my  mind,  the  fudden  furprize  of 
my  powers,  drove  the  groffnefs  of  the  foppery  into  a 
receiv'd  belief,  in  defpight  of  the  teeth  of  all  rime  and 


at  paid  to  mafter 


The  merry  Wives  of  Wind  for. 


91 


reason,  that  they  were  fairies  :  See  now,  how  wit  may 
be  made  a  jack-o'lent,  when  'tis  upon  ill  employment! 

Sir  H.  Sir  John  Faljtaff,  ferve  Got,  and  leave  your 
desires,  and  fairies  will  not  pinfe  you. 

Ford.     Well  faid,  fairy  Hugh. 

Sir  H.  And  leave  you  your  jealousies  alfo,  I  pray 
you. 

Ford.  I  will  never  miftruft  my  wife  again,  'till  thou 
art  able  to  woo  her  in  good  EngUJh 

Fals.  Have  I  lay'd  my  brain  in  the  fun,  and  dry'd 
it,  that  it  wants  matter  to  prevent  fo  grofs  o'er  reach- 
ing as  this:  Am  I  ridden  with  a  Welch  goat  too?  mall 
I  have  a  coxcomb  of  frize?  'tis  time  I  were  choak'd 
with  a  piece  of  toafted  cheese. 

Sir  H.  Seefe  is  not  good  to  give  putter;  your  pelly 
is  all  putter. 

Fals.  Seefe  and  putter!  have  I  liv'd  to  fland  at 
the  taunt  of  one  that  makes  fritters  of  Englijb?  this  is 
enough  to  be  the  decay  of  lull  and  late-walking  through 
the  realm. 

M.  Pa.  Why,  fir  John,  do  you  think,  though  we 
would  have  thruft  virtue  out  of  our  hearts  by  the  head 
and  moulders,  and  have  given  ourfelves  without  fcruple 
to  hell,  that  ever  the  devil  could  have  made  you  our 
delight  ? 

Ford.     What,  a  hodge-puddingr  a  bag  of  flax? 
M.  Pa.  A  puft  man  ? 

Page.  Old,  cold,  wither'd,  and  of  intolerable  en- 
trails ? 

Ford.     And  one  that  is  as  flanderous  as  Satan  ? 
Page.     And  as  poor  as  Job  ? 
?ord,.     And  as  wicked  as  his  wife? 


92 


The  merry  Wives  of  Wind  for. 


Sir  H.  And  given  to  fornications,  and  to  taverns, 
and  fack,  and  wine,  and  metheglins,  and  to  drinkings, 
and  fwearings,  and  ftarings,  pribbles  and  prabbles  ? 

Fals.  Well,  I  am  your  theme;  you  have  the  ft  art 
of  me ;  I  am  dejected  ;  I  am  not  able  to  anfwer  the 
Welch  flannel,  ignorance  itfelf  is  a  plummet  o'er  me  : 
use  me  as  you  will. 

Ford.  Marry,  fir,  we'll  bring  you  to  Wind/or,  to 
one  mailer  Brook,  that  you  have  cozen'd  of  money,  to 
whom  you  mould  have  been  a  pander :  over  and  above 
that  you  have  fuffer'd,  I  think,  to  repay  that  money 
will  be  a  biting  affliction. 

Page.  Yet  be  chearful,  knight:  thou  fhalt  eat  a 
pofiet  to-night  at  my  houfe  ;  where  I  will  desire  thee 
to  laugh  at  my  wife,  that  now  laughs  at  thee;  tell  her, 
matter  Slender  hath  marry'd  her  daughter. 

M.  Pa.  Doctors  doubt  that;  if  Anne  Page  be  my 
daughter,  fhe  is,  by  this,  doctor  Cams'  wife. 

Enter  Slender. 

Slen.     Whoo,  ho,  ho,  father  Page! 

Page.  Son  !  how  now  ?  how  now,  fon  ?  Have  you 
difpatch'd  ? 

Slen.     Difpatch'd  !-Tll  make  the  beft  in  Glofter- 
Jloire  know  on't;  'would  I  were  hang'd,  la,  elfe. 
Page.    Of  what,  fon? 

Slen.  I  came  yonder  at  Eaton  to  marry  miftrefs 
Anne  Page,  and  file's  a  great  lubberly  boy  :  If  it  had 
not  been  i'th'  church,  I  would  have  fwing'd  him,  or 
he  Ihould  have  fwing'd  me.  If  I  did  not  think  it  had 
been  Anne  Page,  'would  I  might  never  ftir,  and  'tis  a 
poft-mafter's  boy. 

Page.    Upon  my  life  then  you  took  the  wrong. 


The  merry  Wives  of  Windfor. 


93 


Slen.  What  need  you  tell  me  that?  I  think  fo 
when  I  took  a  boy  for  a  girl:  If  I  had  been  marry'd  to 
him,  for  all  he  was  in  woman's  apparel,  I  would  not 
have  had  him. 

Page.  Why,  this  is  your  own  folly  ;  Did  not  I  tell 
you  how  you  mould  know  my  daughter  by  her  gar- 
ments ? 

Slen.  I  went  to  her  in  white,  and  cry'd,  mum, 
and  fhe  cry'd,  budget,  as  Anne  and  I  had  appointed; 
and  yet  it  was  not  Anne,  but  a  poll-  mailer's  boy. 

M.  Pa.  Good  George,  be  not  angry  :  I  knew  of  your 
purpose;  turn'd  my  daughter  into  green;  and,  indeed, 
fhe  is  now  with  the  dodlor  at  the  deanery,  and  there 
marry'd. 

Enter  Dodlor  Caius. 

D.  Cai.  Vere  is  miftrefs  Page  ?Sy  gar,  I  am  cozen- 
ed ;  I  have  marry'd  un  gar  con,  a  boy,  un  paifan,  by  gar, 
a  boy  ;  it  is  not  Anne  Page:  by  gar,  I  am  cozened. 

M.  Pa.   Why,  did  you  take  her  in  green? 

D.  Cai.  Ay,  by  gar,  and  'tis  a  boy  :  by  gar,  I'll  raise 
al  1  W ind/or.  [  Exit  Caius. 

Ford.     This  is  ftrange  !  Who  hath  got  the  right  Anne? 

Page.  My  heart  mifgives  me:  Here  comes  mafter 
Pent  on. 

Enter  Fenton,  aWAnne  Page. 
How  now,  mafter  Fenton  ? 

Anne  .  Pardon,  good  father !  good  my  mother,  par- 
don ! 

Page.  Now,  miftrefs?  how  chance  you  went  not 
with  mafter  S  lender  P 

M.  Pa.  Why  wen  tyou  not  with  mafter  dodlor,  maid? 
y<  Fent.     You  do  amaze  her  ;  Hear  the  truth  of  it. 

8  v.  Nac  l1  oon  Garfon,  a  boy  j  oon  Pefant, 


94 


The  merry  Wives  of  Wind  for. 


You  would  have  marry'd  her  moft  fhamefully* 

Where  there  was  no  proportion  held  in  love. 

The  truth  is,  She  and  f,  long  fince  contra&ed, 

Are  now  fo  fure  that  nothing  can  dissolve  us. 

The  offence  is  holy,  that  me  hath  committed: 

And  this  deceit  loses  the  name  of  craft, 

Of  difobedience,  or  unduteous  title; 

Since  therein  fhe  doth  evitate  and  fhun 

A  thousand  irreligious  curfed  hours, 

Which  forced  marriage  would  have  brought  upon  her. 

Ford.     Stand  not  amaz'd:  here  is  no  remedy:  — 
In  love,  the  heavens  thernfelves  do  guide  the  ftate; 
Money  buys  lands,  and  wives  are  fold  by  fate. 

Fals.  I  am  glad,  though  you  ta'en  a  fpecial  fland 
to  ftrike  at  me,  that  your  arrow  hath  glanc'd. 

Page.    Well,  what  remedy  1—Fenton,  heaven  give 
thee  joy  ! 

What  cannot  be  efchew'd,  muft  be  embrac'd. 

Fais.     When  night  dogs  run,  all  forts  of  deer  are 
chac'd. 

M.  Pa.   Well,  I  will  muse  no  further  :_MafterF^/o», 
Heaven  give  you  many,  many  merry  days 
Good  husband,  let  us  every  one  go  home, 
And  laugh  this  fport  o'er  by  a  country  fire ; 
Sir  John  and  all. 

Ford,     Let  it  be  fo,  fir  John: 
To  matter  Brock  you  yet  fhall  hold  your  word ; 
For  he,  to-night,  fhall  lye  with  miftrefs  Ford.  {Exeunt. 


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